Twitch’s current number one streamer, Kai Cenat, revealed that the Secret Service had approached him to help with a political campaign. Cenat did not confirm that the request involved Vice President Kamala Harris but most community experts are sure that it was the Democrats’ candidate that reached out.
The streamer is coming forward with this information right after Trump made an appearance on Adin Ross’ Kick stream.
Kai’s decision to stay out of the political arena sparked a heated debate among his viewers. Many praised his self-awareness and integrity for recognizing that politics isn’t his forte. One fan cheered, “The only content creator so far that recognizes he doesn’t understand a topic. +100 aura points.”
But not everyone bought the story. Some skeptics questioned whether the Secret Service would actually be involved in campaign activities. Some voices in the community question whether any politician actually contacted Kai, or he just tried to make himself appear relevant during the latest Adin Ross debates.
True or not, Kai’s revelation highlights a growing trend of political campaigns targeting young, influential online personalities to mobilize the youth vote. It’s a strategy that’s gaining traction, with politicians like AOC playing Among Us on Twitch, and Donald Trump appearing on Adin Ross’s stream.
For influencers like Kai, getting involved in politics can be a risky game. It might boost loyalty among fans who share their views, but it could also alienate a chunk of their audience. Kai’s choice to stick to what he does best might just be the smartest move for his career.
What responsibility do influencers have when they share their audiences with politicians? Apart from political streamers, most creators in the live streaming world have very few opinions on politics and therefore also do not get involved. Politicians are unlikely to reach out to political streamers like Destiny, because they know that their viewer base has already made a decision regarding their vote.
While Kai may have opted out this time, it’s clear that the worlds of streaming and politics are mixing more than ever. As campaigns continue to eye influential young personalities, streamers might need to position themselves in the political landscape.