A Step Out of the Spotlight

By: Tyler Prich

tp536712@ohio.edu

The 2016 Election cycle was a roller coaster no one could have predicted. As expected, social media was a center point of both campaigns. According to Bloomberg, there were over 300 million tweets sent out about the election, and both candidates put in their fair share. One candidate consistently used a team to strategically lay out messaging principles and press release schedules, the other had his phone taken away by his campaign staff in fear of a twitter rant.

The latter was elected president of the United States.

Analytics, engagement, hashtags, none of it matters now. But the world doesn't stop spinning, although if you look at Hillary Clinton's Twitter feed, you might think it did for her.

Post-Election Blackout

After losing an election, especially one of this nature, it's normal that a candidate would spend some time out of the public eye. For Clinton, it must be particularly devastating after multiple attempts at the oval office. Throughout the campaign, her profile was constantly with press releases, voting reminders, whatever material was needed. Her feed told a different story on the morning of Nov. 9, it was filled only with quotes from her concession speech. 

They carry the tone of someone who is hurting, but also doing her best to console her anxious supporters, and have them open their minds to a Trump presidency. She even included a bible excerpt to try and comfort her followers. There were no tweets for several days.

"To all the little girls watching...never doubt that you are valuable and powerful & deserving of every chance & opportunity in the world."

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 9, 2016

She broke her silence only yesterday, Nov. 16, to promote a speech she's is giving at a non-profit. However, a group of her supporters are still making their voices heard.

I'm Still With Her?

Clinton's campaign centered around the slogan and hashtag "I'm With Her." Following her loss, her followers stayed active on Twitter by continuing to send support with #ImStillWithHer. The content within these tweets can range from simple shout-outs to Hillary for doing her best and wishing her luck, to footage of Trump protests and speech about revolution. A popular practice is pointing out the statistics and 'problems' with the Electoral College, and accompanying it with a Trump insult and #NotMyPresident.

All in all, it's over. The Trump presidency is imminent and Clinton's supporters can't just scoff him out of the White House. Social Media fueled the hatred in this election, and it's concerning to see that it's still happening. Hillary Clinton's Twitter feed is filled with quotes from her asking for unity and understanding in this tumultuous time, but it seems that her supporters still don't fully accept that notion.