2024: The year of influencer news sources

People like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper became major news drivers ahead of the election

Hands holding mobile phone with hypnotic screen.
Podcasters and influencers are "now a source of news for a significant number of Americans, especially when it comes to politics"
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Elon Musk has spent much of 2024 claiming that the internet is the "new media." There is no doubt that social media and the influencers who drive it played a major role throughout the year. Influencers who were once seen merely as a form of entertainment seemingly steered much of the conservation in 2024, particularly regarding the presidential election.

While there was a continued push for spots in mainstream newspapers and cable television, podcasters also snagged interviews with both major candidates, racking up millions of views and listens. Some pundits have claimed that this focus on influencer media is a large reason why Kamala Harris lost and Donald Trump won. This dissemination of the news through podcasts isn't likely to go away anytime soon, as about one in five Americans "regularly get news from influencers on social media," according to the Pew Research Center.

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

 Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.