At the first White House Creator Economy Conference, President Joe Biden emphasized the growing role of social media creators in shaping public opinion, calling them more trusted than traditional media. Speaking to a group of about 100 creators, startup founders, and industry leaders, Biden acknowledged the significant influence creators have on the public. He admitted that until a few months ago, he hadn’t paid much attention to the creator economy, but his granddaughter encouraged him to take a closer look.
“She called me and said, ‘Pop, you got to start listening to these guys,’” Biden shared. This personal nudge led to the organization of what has also been referred to as the White House Influencer Party, where creators were invited to discuss their impact on communication and public trust. According to a Pew Research Center study, about half of U.S. adults now get their news from social media, making creators an important part of the modern media landscape.
Biden contrasted social media creators with traditional press, pointing out that traditional outlets often prioritize clicks over positive contributions. “There’s no editors anymore,” he said, noting that creators have the power to break through the noise and establish trust with their audiences.
The White House’s engagement with the creator economy has been steadily increasing. The administration has taken steps to include digital creators in political messaging, with Christian Tom, director of the White House Office of Digital Strategy, regularly attending industry events like VidCon. Biden’s re-election campaign even hired a “meme manager” to connect with younger, digital-savvy voters.
During the White House Creator Economy Conference, Biden also used the opportunity to brief creators on key issues like the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus vaccine. He praised their ability to reach people in ways that traditional media cannot, particularly at a time when misinformation is widespread. “It’s literally getting incredibly difficult to count the number of lies people hear. They don’t know what to believe,” Biden said. He encouraged creators not to take the trust of their audiences for granted.
In a lighthearted moment, Biden joked that he might be looking for a job in the creator economy. He also allowed non-press attendees to ask him questions after his remarks, underscoring his focus on new media over traditional press.
The president’s remarks highlighted a clear division between old and new media, with Biden acknowledging that creators play a crucial role in shaping public discourse due to the trust they’ve built with their audiences. This event, coupled with ongoing Biden news surrounding the administration’s digital strategy, underscores the evolving landscape of media and the significance of the creator economy in today’s political communication.
