Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, often seen as a serious political figure, has embraced a new persona, writes Jack Fowler for National Review.
Abington’s Shapiro is heavy on social media and light on policy substance, according to critics.
Dubbed “TikTok Josh” by the Commonwealth Foundation, Shapiro has built an online presence filled with playful videos, from referencing Barbie to lip-syncing Parks & Recreation clips. While his approach isn’t as outlandish as the recent “Choose Your Fighter” stunt by House Democrats, his social media strategy has drawn criticism—not just for its cringeworthy content but also for its cost.
Shapiro’s taxpayer-funded, nine-person “digital strategy” team reportedly earns nearly $900,000 annually, raising concerns about public funds being used for what some see as a vanity project. One particularly eyebrow-raising post features him staring into the distance while AC/DC blares, captioned, “The song that plays in my head when someone tells me to ban abortion.”
In response, the Commonwealth Foundation launched its own social media campaign, letting users vote on Shapiro’s most cringe-inducing videos. Their twist on March Madness pits his most over-the-top clips against each other for the title of “cringiest.”
Love it or hate it, Shapiro’s TikTok strategy has people talking—though whether it wins votes is another question.
Read more about Josh Shapiro in the National Review.
