Kamala Harris is in the heart of Trump’s turf—Truth Social. Since the Vice President stepped into the fray in July, taking over a campaign account on Trump’s own social media platform, the response has been, well, less than welcoming. But despite some colorful criticism from MAGA fans, Harris seems determined to make her voice heard on this unexpected platform.
Truth Social, founded by Trump himself in 2022 after his dramatic exit from mainstream social media, has built a reputation as a hub for “free speech” or, as some see it, an echo chamber for Trump loyalists. With an audience that skews heavily male, conservative, and, frankly, not the kind to be wooed by a Democrat, Harris is navigating challenging waters. Her official account—now KamalaHQ—has attracted 400,000 followers, but it’s nothing compared to the 1.4 million she’s got on X (formerly Twitter).
And Harris’s posts on Truth Social aren’t exactly rolling in applause. In response to the platform’s official welcome, reactions ranged from memes to outright insults. One MAGA supporter posted a mock-up image of Biden and Harris as clowns with the biting caption, “Switching out one clown for another clown won’t change the circus.” Another commenter scoffed, “Welcome Kamala! Just know we’re not communists here,” with a not-so-subtle jab at her political stance.
Yet Harris’s team remains undeterred, occasionally tossing a jab right back—recently commenting on low attendance at Trump rallies, a move that set off even more reactions from Trump’s followers. The critical posts, while often crude, shine a light on Harris’s real goal here: reach even those voters who might never engage with her otherwise. As Vanderbilt University’s John Geer puts it, Harris’s presence on Truth Social is “a low-cost investment” in visibility, despite the backlash.
Political experts argue she’s doing what Democrats rarely attempt: meeting conservative audiences on their own turf. Professor Thomas Gift from UCL points out, “Even if Truth Social leans right, there’s no harm in trying to appeal to skeptical voters.” According to Jeremy Walling from Southeast Missouri State University, her campaign likely hopes to reach a minority within Truth Social who value “freedom of expression” and are open to perspectives outside Trump’s base.
With less than three weeks to Election Day, Harris’s unorthodox campaign choice to be present on Truth Social could be her most unexpected play yet. Whether it works out or not, she’s making waves in Trump’s backyard.
