In an unexpected move that’s stirred up social media, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has jumped onto former President Donald Trump’s platform, Truth Social, to highlight the Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) higher ratings compared to the Republican National Convention (RNC).
Using the official Truth Social account, the Harris team shared a Rolling Stone headline proclaiming, “DNC Brings in Higher Ratings Than RNC All Four Nights,” aiming to jab at Trump in his own digital space.
Nielsen data shows that the DNC, hosted in Chicago over four nights, consistently attracted more viewers than the RNC. This year’s Democratic event featured influential speakers such as Harris, President Joe Biden, and former President Barack Obama, reaching millions through both broadcast and cable news.
The DNC kicked off with impressive viewership numbers, peaking at 20 million for the opening night, surpassing both the 2020 DNC opener (19.7 million) and this year’s RNC opener (18.1 million). The excitement grew on the second night, nearly hitting 20.8 million viewers, which jumped to 21.9 million during Obama’s speech. The third night held steady at 20.2 million, again outperforming the RNC’s 18 million viewers.
The final night was a standout, with a whopping 26.2 million watching as Harris accepted the Democratic nomination, peaking at 28.9 million during her speech and surpassing the RNC’s final night numbers of 25.4 million.
Demographics were telling too, with the DNC drawing in a significantly older audience—15.3 million were aged 55 and up. Viewership also included 3.5 million in the 35-54 bracket and 851,000 from the 18-34 demographic.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, who previously served as White House communications director under Trump, shared her thoughts on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, emphasizing Trump’s frustration over the ratings. She pointed out that many Americans are looking for fresh figures in the political landscape, especially as public interest shifts.
The DNC averaged 21.8 million viewers across its four nights, outperforming the RNC’s average of just over 19 million. This success has revitalized the Democratic Party, which was trailing in the polls before Biden stepped aside as the nominee.
Griffin praised the DNC’s diversity and structured approach, highlighting its engaging mix of policies and speakers from various backgrounds. She acknowledged, however, that there’s still considerable time until Election Day and that Trump has a knack for drawing the public’s eye back to him.
As important as these ratings are, they reflect a shift, with many Americans expressing fatigue over the prospect of another Trump-Biden showdown, as noted in a January Reuters poll showing 67% desiring new candidates in presidential races.
Harris’ momentous nomination as the first Black and Asian American woman to head a major party ticket has energized the base, attracting a vibrant array of speakers, from celebrities like Mindy Kaling to political leaders.
Trump reacted to Harris’ speech on Truth Social, lobbing critiques at her on border policies, and even called Fox News after her address, questioning why she hadn’t taken action earlier.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, both teams will likely maintain unconventional strategies to capture public interest and enthusiasm. The Harris campaign’s Truth Social strategy might just be the innovative start to a digital duel for the presidency.