Key facts
- Sen. Bernie Sanders leads Congress with over 31 million social media followers across platforms.
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is second with nearly 29 million followers.
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Cory Booker also have substantial cross-platform followings.
- Sen. Ted Cruz leads Republicans with over 10 million followers, primarily on X.
- Lawmakers are leveraging social media to increase their influence and profile.
- Members considering presidential runs often have large social media followings.
Members of the 119th Congress are increasingly leveraging social media to enhance their public profiles, drive narratives, and influence political discourse. A POLITICO analysis reveals that Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lead the field in follower counts across platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok, with Sanders boasting over 31 million total followers and Ocasio-Cortez close behind with nearly 29 million.
Other prominent lawmakers with significant followings include Sen. Elizabeth Warren (16.5 million across platforms) and Sen. Cory Booker (10.7 million), who has actively promoted social media engagement among Senate Democrats. For Republicans, Sen. Ted Cruz leads with over 10 million followers, primarily on X, and is also a dominant figure in the podcasting space. Newcomers like Sen. John Kennedy have also achieved breakout stardom, amassing over a million followers through viral clips.
The ability to command a large online audience is becoming a critical metric for future party leaders and presidential hopefuls. Members considering a 2028 presidential bid, such as Sens. Rand Paul and Josh Hawley, have amassed substantial followings. Committee leadership also correlates with online reach, with figures like House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi demonstrating significant influence on platforms like X.
Freshman lawmakers are also making their mark, with Rep. Brandon Gill emerging as a notable online presence. The strategic use of social media, from explanatory videos to engaging with trends, is seen as crucial for effective messaging and breaking through political toxicity, according to lawmakers like Rep. Sarah McBride.