Facebook finds Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump are getting the most buzz in Iowa

The role of social media in 2016.
(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

If primaries were won by who gets the biggest buzz, Donald Trump would be a certain lock for the GOP nomination — nevertheless, it's always interesting to see who is being talked about right before voters head to the caucus. In Iowa, Facebook is reporting that Bernie Sanders was the most discussed candidate between midnight CST and noon on Monday, holding 42.2 percent of conversations about candidates. Donald Trump came in second place, with 21.7 percent, followed by Hillary Clinton with 13.1 percent, and Ted Cruz with 10.7 percent. The rest of the candidates were in single digits.

While the polls show tight competition, Sanders is a blowout on social media with Democrats in Iowa, dominating the discussion with 73 percent to Clinton's 25 percent. Donald Trump is also a runaway with Republicans, 50 percent to Cruz's second-place 23 percent.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.