{"id":9027,"date":"2024-07-26T07:06:46","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T07:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/khabarok.com\/entertainment\/9027\/"},"modified":"2024-07-26T07:06:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T07:06:46","slug":"from-charli-xcxs-brat-summer-to-coconut-tree-us-vice-president-kamala-harris-presidential-campaign-is-trying-to-resonate-with-gen-z-voters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/khabarok.com\/?p=9027","title":{"rendered":"From Charli XCX\u2019s \u201cBrat Summer\u201d to \u201cCoconut Tree\u201d: US Vice President Kamala Harris\u2019 presidential campaign is trying to resonate with Gen Z voters"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"US<\/picture><\/div>\n

\nUS VP Kamala Harris\u2019 revamped X banner as on ode to Charli XCX\u2019s \u2018Brat\u2019
\n| Photo Credit: X\/ @KamalaHQ\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Vice President Kamala Harris has already taken a surprising turn in her presidential campaign, capturing the hearts and minds of younger voters in a way few could have anticipated. Following President Joe Biden\u2019s announcement that he would not seek re-election and his endorsement of Harris for the Democratic nomination, a wave of endorsements, including one from pop star Charli XCX, has catapulted Harris into the spotlight as the \u201cmeme queen\u201d of the US Presidential Elections 2024.<\/p>\n

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kamala IS brat<\/p>\n

\u2014 Charli (@charli_xcx) July 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

The \u201cBrat\u201d Phenomenon<\/h4>\n

The pop sensation known for her edgy, rebellious persona, Charli XCX declared on X (formerly Twitter) that \u201cKamala IS brat,\u201d \u2014 a statement that quickly went viral. The term \u201cbrat\u201d stems from Charli\u2019s titular sixth studio album, which features a distinctive lime green cover and a rebellious, carefree ethos. This concept of being a \u201cbrat\u201d \u2014 someone who is unapologetically themselves, even if a bit messy or chaotic \u2014 seems to have had fans in a chokehold all summer.<\/p>\n

Harris\u2019 campaign has cleverly capitalized on this trend: her campaign\u2019s social media presence overhauled to reflect the \u201cbrat\u201d aesthetic, with lime green visuals and references to Charli XCX\u2019s album art. This rebranding effort has made Harris more relatable and appealing to its Gen Z demographic thatseems to value authenticity and defiance of traditional norms.<\/p>\n

The \u201cCoconut\u201d effect<\/h4>\n

Another viral moment from Harris\u2019 past has also resurfaced, contributing to her meme queen status. During a White House ceremony in 2023, Harris recalled a phrase her mother often used: \u201cYou think you just fell out of a coconut tree?\u201d This phrase has since been embraced by her supporters, including politicians like Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Colorado Governor Jared Polis, have joined in, using coconut and palm tree emojis to signal their endorsement.<\/p>\n

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Madam Vice President, we are ready to help. pic.twitter.com\/y8baSx44FL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) July 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

The \u201ccoconut tree\u201d meme has become a standout in Harris\u2019 campaign and has since taken on a life of its own, leading to the creation of the hashtag #OperationCoconutTree and a slew of coconut-themed posts across social media platforms<\/p>\n

The impact on the campaign<\/h4>\n

The endorsement from Charli XCX sparked a flood of memes, merchandise, and social media posts that have positioned Harris as a pop culture icon. The official campaign account, @KamalaHQ, now sports a banner in the style of the \u201cBrat\u201d album cover, further extending her embrace to this viral trend.<\/p>\n

This strategic use of memes and social media trends seems to have breathed new life into Harris\u2019 campaign. By aligning herself with the \u201cbrat\u201d culture, Harris has tapped into a movement that values self-acceptance and imperfection, qualities that resonate with the under-30 demographic. As the race progresses, it will be interesting to witness how the strategy evolves and whether it can translate into tangible electoral success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n