The White House recently hosted its first-ever Creator Economy Conference, where President Joe Biden made an appearance. Surprisingly, it was not a TikTok star or a YouTube sensation who garnered the most attention but the President himself. In his speech, President Biden acknowledged the significant role that content creators play in shaping public opinion and praised social media’s ability to provide a platform for more people to be heard.
The President’s interest in content creators was sparked by his granddaughter, who urged him to pay attention to their influence. This sentiment aligns with the findings of a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, which revealed that approximately half of American adults rely on social media, including content creators, as a source of news. President Biden also highlighted the changing landscape of journalism, noting that traditional editors no longer hold the same power and that clickbait and negative attention-seeking have become prevalent.
The fact that the White House hosted a conference dedicated to the creator economy is groundbreaking, especially considering that some lawmakers struggle to understand the nuances of platforms like Roku and YouTube. However, the Biden administration recognizes the potential that content creators have in political messaging. Christian Tom, the director of the White House Office of Digital Strategy, has been a regular attendee at VidCon, and during Biden’s re-election campaign, a meme manager was even hired to engage with digital-native voters.
During the conference, creators expressed support for legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which Biden also endorses. However, there were concerns raised about the potential unintended consequences of such regulations, particularly when it comes to privacy and anonymity online. White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden spoke in favor of KOSA, while creators Lexi Hidalgo and Jackie Aina voiced their opinions against allowing anonymity on social media platforms.
While mental health was briefly discussed, President Biden’s main message to content creators was to recognize the trust their audience places in them. He emphasized the importance of breaking through the noise and misinformation that people are bombarded with, stating that creators have the power to change the way we communicate. With a touch of humor, the President jokingly mentioned that he invited creators to the White House because he’s looking for a job.
The contrast between traditional press and new media was evident during President Biden’s speech. The audience consisted of startup founders, industry stakeholders, and creators, while the press pool was separated from them. President Biden made a lighthearted remark about the distinction between the “fake press” and the “real press,” showcasing the changing dynamics of media.
In a unique move, President Biden allowed the audience members, but not the press, to ask questions at the end of his remarks. This further highlighted the difference between traditional and new media. When a member of the press pool shouted a question about Venezuelan politics, the press was escorted out of the room, solidifying President Biden’s emphasis on the trustworthiness of content creators.
Overall, the White House Creator Economy Conference demonstrated the recognition of content creators’ impact in shaping public opinion. President Biden’s presence and engagement with creators showcased his understanding of the changing media landscape and the important role that creators play in the digital age. By inviting content creators to the White House and acknowledging their influence, the Biden administration further solidifies the significance of the creator economy and its potential in shaping the future of communication.