American Politicians' Youngest Relatives are Making Waves on Social Media
Growing up under the public eye—or being famous by association—in the age of social media is never easy. And, the passionate political discourse that conquers platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok puts an unavoidable spotlight on the familial circle of prominent politicians, whether it be their partners, children, or—in light of Joe Biden's 2020 U.S. presidential election win—grandchildren. For the young followers on those platforms, these Millennial and Gen Z relatives offer a relatable figure and voice, reaching a demographic that has historically been the least politically engaged.
While some choose to keep a low profile on social media, others open up to the public to share their own views or offer a glimpse into their everyday lives. Here, L'OFFICIEL takes a look at five young family members of American politicians who are becoming influential figures on social media.
Naomi Biden
Naomi Biden is the eldest daugher of Hunter Biden and one of President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren. The 26-year-old Columbia Law School graduate was active on Twitter and Instagram during her grandfather's campaign, sharing intimate snapshots and, as we were all anxiously waiting for the presidential race to be called, relatable grievances. On the evening of President-elect Biden's victory speech, you may have spotted Naomi on stage alongside her family, including Ashley Biden, her aunt and Joe's daughter, who also made a splash on social media for her non-stop dancing.
Claudia Conway
Claudia Conway, daughter of Kellyanne Conway, rose to TikTok fame due to her posts criticizing the Trump administration, expressing her progessive views, and documenting her tumultuous relationship with her mother. While many championed Claudia as a hero for offering a frank look at the White House and breaking the news on her mother testing positive for the coronavirus, the 16-year-old has expressed that she's simply a teen caught in an unfavorable situation. Following Claudia's whistleblowing, Kellyanne resigned from her role as counselor to the president. With 1.4 million TikTok followers, she continues posting about her family's role in politics.
Meena Harris
Meena Harris, niece of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, has arguably been the Biden-Harris campaign's most influential asset among Gen Z, frequently posting humorous TikToks that garnered millions of likes. She is passionate about highlighting young women of color, both through her lifestyle brand Phenomenal and through writing children's books.
Caroline Rose Giuliani
Daughter of Rudy Giuliani, personal lawyer to President Donald Trump and former New York City mayor, Caroline Rose Giuliani doesn't share her father's conservative political views. Currently a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, she seeks to address issues and reduce stigma around sexuality and mental health in her work. In October, she penned an essay in Vanity Fair describing her decision to vote against her father's political party for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo, governer of New York, earned national recognition for his daily coronavirus breifings, oftentimes lightening the mood surrounding the pandemic by talking about his family. One of his three daughters, Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo, is similarly making a name for herself in her activism through CUSP, a collective she founded as a student at Brown University. She also often posts family photos to her Instagram account and uses her platform to remind followers to stay safe and wear a mask.
