Welcome to #VIRAL, The Newsletter from Girl and the Gov®, sharing need-to-know content trends and concepts for Dem social media, digital, and comms professionals. For 1v1 tailored help building out your social media, book an Office Hours Session or an Audit here.
Email forwarded your way? Subscribe here.
Ready to level-up your new media game?
Book an Office Hours session with Girl and the Gov®
Get fast, expert feedback on comms, digital, creator strategy, and anything new media. Bring your idea, your challenge, or your half-baked plan—we’ll sharpen it, stress-test it, and send you off with crystal-clear next steps. Office Hours with Girl and the Gov® is the shortcut to moving smarter in today’s media world.
TikTok Content Trends
Give these a whirl (and post them on Reels & Shorts too)
**For New York-based candidates or electeds: this Joe Jonas trend idea is one to tap into. The backstory: Joe Jonas can’t parallel park and was caught in Williamsburg struggling to do so. It’s become a local-internet inside joke.
→ “oooh okay, that’s…” Audio: This audio captures a person’s reaction when they’ve been asked a question that has a tricky answer – or at least an answer that’s going to take a lot of explaining – and can be used with lipsync-style videos to illustrate one’s own experience in that type of hot seat. The best use case of the audio in action thus far, is this creator using it to share what it’s like applying for jobs right now with two degrees from the University of Oklahoma [IYKYK]. Politically-speaking, the audio can be used to react to something happening that you don’t have control over but 1. Need to tell people about 2. Need to try and explain. The style of the video should be lipsync with text added sharing what the creator is reacting to.
→ “50 Cent Era” Trend: Following the release of 50 Cent’s documentary on P. Diddy, creators are leaning into their 50 Cent era – a mix of petty with a side of grudge holder and a dash of haterade. They’re making this known by creating content like this using a static image of themselves, a 50 cent track as the audio, and a bit of text added to the image sharing that they’re either entering their 50 Cent era, why they are, or a variation on a theme. An elected official or candidate could take this trend and add a political motivation for entering their 50 Cent era – like an action of the current admin.
→ “Private IG Story v. public IG Story” Trend: This trend has creators sharing what they show typically on their private IG story [the more real and wild version of themselves] versus what they post on their public IG story [a more polished version of themselves]. They’re doing so with video compilations like this, starting with the private IG story example, followed by the public IG story example. This trend works for a particularly goofy elected or candidate that can have b-roll of them being silly/more laid back that can be used for the “private IG Story” portion.
→ “All I want for Christmas is…” Trend: This old Paris Hilton audio of her saying “All I want for Christmas is… a pink Bentley” has become a trend. The focus of the trend isn’t just literal – i.e. sharing what you want for the holidays. It’s a canvas for sharing something you want in general too. So, instead of using it to share that you want “everything from Sephora,” the trend from a political application standpoint could share that you want “healthcare for all.” In action, the trend is of the lipsync variety and text added in this formula:
:00-:03 seconds of audio: “All I want for Christmas is…”
:04-:06 seconds of audio: “XYZ political win”
TikTok Audios
Trending TikTok audios for BTS and b-roll vids
AUDIO → The Look - Instrumental
AUDIO → original sound - cinema cloudz
AUDIO → Sleeping on the Blacktop
AUDIO → Sleepless in a Hotel Room
Instagram Trends
Creative content concepts to try
→ “She talked, she listened” Trend: This trend shows the difference between two people’s drinks that were in conversation – one drink is filled and one is empty – a correlation to who was yapping and who was listening. As seen with this example, the trend comes to life with an aesthetic video shot of two glasses and simple delineating text added. The pronouns can be changed to match the moment, as well as the audio. The core thesis for a political application is showing that someone is listening – to a constituent, a potential voter, etc.
→ “I’m so tired, I think I need some water” Trend: This trend has creators feigning that they need water [like to drink] followed by a compilation of their favorite water/coastal scenes that they’re craving. For an elected, candidate, or org that has beautiful waterways in their backyard, with loads of b-roll to boot, this trend provides the canvas for showing that off and showing connecting to one’s home community.
→ “In politics, a good poker face…” Trend: This trend actually comes from the political orbit as seen here, and makes fun of a classic thing people put upon those that want to work in politics – “you need to have a good poker face.” However, the reality these days is entirely different. The trend can use b-roll of an elected or group of electeds clearly not having poker faces with an audio that fits the vibe over it. The phrase as seen with the originator “in politics a poker face is everything” should be added to the video. The caption can be used to explore this concept more.
IG Reels Audios
Background audios that make Reels move
AUDIO → Mix *this is a part of a CapCut Edit
AUDIO → Si un jour
AUDIO → liam fitzgerald original audio
AUDIO → worklifewit original audio *use this for a situation that’s a shitshow
AUDIO → Just like Heaven
Threads to Thread
Reply or Repost to these digital notes on Threads
The Thread → Reply OR repost by further elaborating on Trump trying to extort the state of Indiana.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing examples of how investing in the south results in democratic wins.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing a highlight or lowlight rather of the Kristi Noem hearing.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by explaining what happens next with healthcare.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing what you would have selected if you were in charge of these designations.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by explaining the attack on fonts.
Skies Are Blue
Trending topics ATM on Bluesky
Kilmer Abrego Garcia
Jeff Garcia
ICC
Pete Alonso
Supergirl
Caturday
BEFORE YOU GO…
…find more from Girl and the Gov®
→ Get on-demand comms and digital help with GATG Office Hours Sessions
→ Receive good news and all the political goss fit to print with The Gov Hub Newsletter
→ Tap into the creator world by subscribing to Keeping It Currant