Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign team made a bold move by using former President Donald Trump’s platform, Truth Social, to highlight the success of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) over the Republican National Convention (RNC) in terms of viewership. The DNC consistently outperformed the RNC in total viewership, with key speeches from prominent figures such as Harris, President Joe Biden, and former President Barack Obama drawing in millions of viewers. The opening night of the DNC set the tone with 20 million viewers, and the final night saw a significant surge in viewership, with 26.2 million Americans tuning in as Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.
Demographics played a significant role in the viewership patterns, with the DNC attracting an older audience compared to the RNC. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House director of strategic communications under Trump’s administration, commented on the success of the DNC on a CNN show, noting that the convention energized viewers and offered a new perspective for those who were tired of the Biden-Trump matchup. The DNC averaged 21.8 million viewers across all four nights, outshining the RNC’s average of just over 19 million viewers. This success has brought momentum to the Democratic Party, which was once trailing Trump when Biden was still the nominee.
The Democrats’ strong performance at the DNC comes at a crucial time as they gear up for the 2024 presidential race. Harris’ historic nomination as the first Black and Asian American woman to lead a major party ticket has energized the Democratic base. The convention featured a diverse array of speakers, from Hollywood stars to notable leaders like Barack and Michelle Obama. Trump reacted to Harris’ speech live on Truth Social, criticizing her promised border policies and urging her to take action immediately.
As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, both campaigns are likely to continue employing unconventional tactics to capture public attention and enthusiasm. The Harris campaign’s use of Truth Social to highlight the DNC’s success over the RNC may be just the beginning of a digital-age battle for the White House. The DNC’s well-orchestrated convention that featured a mix of policies, national security discussions, and speakers from across the country helped hold viewers’ attention and showcase a different vision for the future. With 75 days until Election Day, the race for the presidency is heating up, and both parties are focused on gaining an edge through innovative strategies and messaging.
