What's Resonating: Friday, December 12th
Noem on deportations, ICE, and right-wing infighting
We’re back with another edition of What’s Resonating – a daily newsletter from the Resonate team that delivers a data-driven snapshot of the stories, trends, and messages shaping online culture and politics.
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We’ve been a bit shorthanded this week (everyone get your flu shots!), and we were sorry to miss your inboxes yesterday.
We’ll be back to regularly scheduled programming next week with some more end-of-year retrospectives!
Now, let’s dive in.
What’s Resonating
Noem questioned about veteran deportations
ICE commentary
Erika Kirk’s latest interview
Today’s Takeaway: Rep. Magaziner confronting Kristi Noem with a deported combat veteran was the most viral political moment yesterday, and highlights how potent immigration is as an issue. Meanwhile, the White House TikTok is posting through it, seeking ever-edgier immigration memes and controversy, and the internet is beginning to turn on Erika Kirk.
Email users: Click through for the full, interactive chart.
Yesterday on Social Media
🟦 Left-leaning accounts
MeidasTouch shared a clip of Rep. Seth Magaziner asking Kristi Noem if veterans have been deported before introducing a deported combat veteran via Zoom, following Noem’s denial of deporting U.S. citizens or veterans. (8.4 million views, 44x average likes, most-liked tracked post)
The Democrats (2.9 million views, 2x average likes), Aaron Parnas (1.2 million views), and Aaron Rupar (176,000 likes, 56x average engagements) also shared the clip.
Courier shared a clip of how Noem “fled a committee hearing after being questioned on abuses of power.” (4.4 million views, 10x average likes) and a photo version of Noem’s back-and-forth with Rep. Magazine. (230,000 likes, 25x average likes)
Resonate’s Take: For a hearing clip to over-perform like this, reaching the #1 overall tracked post, is a huge testament to both the widespread outrage over ICE raids and the increasing strength of left-leaning media outlets like MeidasTouch and Courier.
Zohran Mamdani posted a video about attending Kuf Alef Kislev, a Jewish celebration of an event that led to the foundation of the Hasidic community in New York City (15 million views across two posts), and a collaboration with Recess Therapy answering questions from young kids about the mayoral transition. (3.1 million views across two posts)
President Obama shared a clip of getting his haircut at his long-time Chicago barber. (445,000 likes)
PinkNews amplified SZA’s comments about the White House being “evil” and “boring” after they used her song in an ICE compilation. (3.2 million views, 13x average likes)
Brian Tyler Cohen reposted an AI video from Gavin Newsom depicting Trump, Hegseth, and Stephen Miller getting arrested. (3.9 million views, 19x average likes)
🟥 Right-leaning accounts
The White House shared an edited clip from Home Alone, insulting the appearance of an ICE detainee, adding “Daily reminder: THE DEPORTATIONS WILL CONTINUE.” (3.8 million views)
Fox News shared a clip of a North Carolina State representative reading a sample of a gender-inclusive children’s book before calling it “trash.” (1.3 million views)
Shawn Ryan posted a video claiming he is being threatened with a defamation suit from Congressman Dan Crenshaw after discussing how Crenshaw became wealthy during his time in Congress. (1.9 million views, 10x average likes)
The full episode of the show was the most-viewed tracked political YouTube video yesterday with 1.6 million views and 5x the average likes for the channel.
Fox News shared a clip of Karoline Leavitt discussing Trump’s impact on affordability, claiming that they are receiving more scrutiny on this issue than the Biden administration, and accusing the press of wanting to “push untrue narratives about the president.” (4.7 million views, 10x average likes)
Candace Owens responded to Erika Kirk’s requests to “stop lying,” saying she will honor that, but she can only do that if Erika is “more explicit about what I have lied about.” (1.8 million views)
The full episode was the second-most-viewed political YouTube video yesterday with over 1.5 million views.
The Blaze shared a clip of Rep. Shri Thanedar asking Noem when she will resign, adding the racist caption “Guy can barely even speak English....” (3.9 million views, 459x average likes)
🟨 Neutral (Political) accounts
Scripps News also shared the clip of the exchange between Magaziner and Noem. (12.7 million views, 109x average likes)
NBC News shared a clip of protestors interrupting Noem’s testimony, calling for an end to ICE raids. (4 million views, 10x average likes)
CBS News shared a clip of Erika Kirk responding to Candace Owens and her “conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s assassination” (19.9 million views, 23x average views, 155x average shares), and a clip of Erika explaining she is trusting in the Lord for justice in her husband’s death. (5.8 million views)
Resonate’s Take: The most-liked comments on this post are largely expressing support for Owens and mocking Erika Kirk’s angry reaction to hearing Owens’ name. This perhaps reflects an emerging backlash to Erika Kirk after her widespread media tour (with comments calling her “weird,” “corny”, and “scary”), as well as the unique crossover appeal of Candace Owens on TikTok.
The Daily Mail reported on Venezuela’s peace prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, showing her face for the first time after her escape from her home country. (5.5 million views)
Al Jazeera English shared coverage of a neo-Nazi march in Little Rock, Arkansas. (5 million views, 20x average likes)
CNN reported on a Massachusetts church drawing criticism for its nativity scene, which replaces Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with a sign that reads, “ICE was here.” (2 million views, 3x average likes)
The New York Times shared a video on how Andrew and Tristian Tate returned to the U.S. after years of being prohibited from leaving Romania. (3 million views)
Metro posted a clip of an interpreter at the European Parliament breaking down in tears at the story of an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy who was a victim of a Russian missile attack during his trip to the body to talk about how Russia’s war is impacting children. (6.9 million views, 9x average likes)
🟨 Neutral (Cultural) accounts
Doctor Mike did the “in your 20s someone will ask you..” trend with someone asking him to drink raw milk (including images of RFK Jr. taking a raw milk shot) and Dr. Mike noting, “it’s important you say NO!” (6.3 million views across two posts, 5x average views on TikTok)
Pubity reported that South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have eliminated tipping at their restaurant, instead paying their employees at least $30 per hour. (137,000 likes)
The Shade Room amplified Amanda Seyfried’s quote that she would not apologize for calling Charlie Kirk “hateful” following his death. (138,000 likes)
Pop Base reported on how the winner of Eurovision 2024 is returning their trophy in protest of Israel’s 2026 participation. (102,000 likes)
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