From TikTok to antisemitism, political theater hijacks the moment

Congressional hearings, once regarded as a critical accountability tool, have morphed into a battleground for attention in the digital age.

With the rise of social media platforms, the reach of these hearings now extend far beyond the confines of Washington. Members of Congress have used this opportunity, leveraging every medium to capture the attention of their constituents back home. Viral moments can mean wider name recognition, and members will often point to those exchanges specifically in fundraising emails, growing their base of support.

Two hearings in particular epitomize this shift: Testimony by leaders of three top universities about antisemitism on college campuses and the summoning of tech CEOs about online child safety.

Watch this video to see how members use questioning to score political points.