Democrat congressman Suhas Subramanyam dragged for ‘weird’ TikTok ‘aura farming’ trend video
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat from Virginia, recently joined TikTok’s “aura farming” trend by posting a video of himself dancing solo in the congressional subway. The clip shows Subramanyam sporting sunglasses, striking poses, and waving his arms before focusing on the camera. However, his attempt at “aura farming” seems to have backfired, with many commenters criticizing him for being tone-deaf and hypocritical.
Some left-leaning viewers expressed frustration with what they perceived as inaction from Democrats, particularly under the Trump administration. They called out Subramanyam for not taking concrete actions, citing his past voting record as evidence. Just weeks ago, Subramanyam made a controversial decision within his party by voting against a House impeachment resolution against Trump. This decision, along with his dancing video, sparked criticism and mockery from social media users.
The comments on Subramanyam’s TikTok video ranged from questioning his motives to outright calling for more substantive action from elected officials. Some users suggested that performative TikTok videos should be accompanied by meaningful legislative efforts to address issues like money in politics. Subramanyam, known for his moderate stance within the Democratic party, has been urged to focus on more impactful actions rather than social media gimmicks.
The “aura farming” trend, popular among younger generations, involves striking cool and effortless poses while standing still. It gained attention after a video of an 11-year-old Indonesian boy dancing confidently with sunglasses went viral. Most “aura farming” videos on TikTok are set to the song “Young Black & Rich” by Melly Mike, emphasizing confidence and self-assuredness.
As of now, Subramanyam’s office and TikTok have not responded to requests for comments on the video. Despite the mixed reactions, the congressman continues to engage with social media platforms to connect with a younger audience. However, the backlash from his TikTok post highlights the importance of balancing social media presence with substantive legislative action in the eyes of the public.
