Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams: The Future of Political Messaging Is Young and Online

Episode Release Date: June 12, 2025

Overview

In the June 12, 2025 episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, hosted by Stacey Abrams and produced by Crooked Media, the discussion centers on the evolving landscape of political messaging, particularly focusing on the pivotal role of younger generations and online platforms. Abrams delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the fragmented media ecosystem, the rise of misinformation, and the strategic approaches Democrats can adopt to effectively engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha voters.

The Fragmented Media Landscape

Abrams opens the conversation by highlighting the significant transformation in how information is consumed today:

"Our media ecosystem has become increasingly fragmented. When there is no central repository of facts, truth becomes slippery and action feels dangerous." ([00:08])

She reflects on her experiences with traditional analog news channels and acknowledges the excitement and challenges brought about by the multitude of information sources available today, including TV, radio, podcasts, newspapers, newsletters, and various social platforms.

Challenges in Unifying Behavior

The host emphasizes the difficulty in reaching a unified audience in an era rife with disinformation and polarization:

"Disinformation and misinformation run rampant, like the recent Republican reframing of peaceful protests against a paramilitary ICE raid in Los Angeles, framing them instead as widespread riots." ([02:15])

Abrams discusses how such tactics aim to create chaos and scapegoat marginalized groups, undermining societal norms and fostering a fragmented reality that heightens vulnerability to authoritarianism.

The Rise of Social Media in Political Messaging

A significant portion of the episode explores the impact of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, on political engagement among younger demographics:

"TikTok has been particularly popular with Gen Z... where they get their news. Young content creators are way ahead of the game in using these platforms to increase news consumption and political engagement." ([03:45])

Abrams argues that while platforms like TikTok are rife with misinformation, they also present unique opportunities for authentic political messaging if leveraged correctly.

Insights from Guests Aaron Parnas and Khalil Green

Aaron Parnas: Redefining Journalism

Aaron Parnas, a journalist and political commentator, discusses his journey from a legal background to becoming a prominent content creator:

"As long as you're putting out something into the ether, whether it's on TV or on social media, you are creating content." ([08:30])

Parnas emphasizes the democratization of journalism through social media, maintaining high ethical standards akin to traditional journalism despite the lack of formal credentials.

Khalil Green: The Gen Z Historian

Khalil Green, a Gen Z historian, shares his approach to content creation that blends historical context with current issues:

"When you start off on social media, you have to just create the content that you wanna see. My audience comes to me based on shared interests." ([15:52])

Green highlights the importance of integrity and authenticity, describing himself as a "troublemaker" committed to delivering impactful content without compromising ethical standards.

Democratic Strategies for Political Messaging

Abrams and her guests discuss strategic approaches Democrats can adopt to counteract effective right-wing messaging:

"If we can figure out how to leverage these new platforms, then we can shape the future conversations. But I actually think that's the wrong approach." ([05:10])

Instead of solely focusing on mastering new mediums, the emphasis should be on understanding and supporting authentic content creators who resonate with younger audiences.

Investment in Content Creators

Parnas advocates for investing in resources that support existing left-leaning creators:

"Money should go to resources that support the work that existing creators are doing... support the creators that are already on the left and build them up." ([47:41])

He underscores the necessity of providing creators with the tools for professional production and fact-checking to enhance credibility and reach.

Building Infrastructure

Both guests agree that long-term infrastructure building is crucial for sustained political engagement:

"We need to be spending money on hiring producers, fact-checkers, and supporting legitimate shows rather than throwing money into fleeting campaigns." ([28:18])

The Role of Authenticity and Consistency

Abrams ties the conversation to the importance of maintaining authenticity and consistency in political messaging:

"We're spending too much time trying to win elections instead of trying to win people. Elections are markers. They're not the only thing." ([31:49])

This approach mirrors Stacey Abrams' successful long-term strategy in Georgia, emphasizing community building and consistent engagement beyond election cycles.

Platform-Specific Strategies

The discussion extends to evaluating different social media platforms and their unique audiences:

"Not everyone has to go everywhere. I think the people on the left, there should be people on the left on Truth Social, on Rumble and all these other platforms." ([51:50])

Abrams and her guests explore the necessity of a diversified platform presence to reach varied audiences while maintaining alignment with core values.

Call to Action from Guests

Khalil Green: Embrace Reading and Critical Thinking

Khalil urges listeners to deepen their understanding through reading and critical analysis:

"Get off of social media for a time. Buy a physical book about politics and read it." ([54:10])

He recommends On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder as a valuable resource to comprehend current political dynamics and strategies for combating authoritarianism.

Aaron Parnas: Engage Locally and Build Community

Parnas encourages active, ground-level engagement:

"June 14th is a no Kings Day protest. Get out there and go make your voice heard on the ground. Build community." ([55:07])

He emphasizes the importance of direct voter contact and community involvement rather than relying solely on digital strategies.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reinforcement of the key themes: the necessity of supporting authentic content creators, building long-term engagement strategies beyond immediate elections, and leveraging diverse platforms to reach and educate young voters. Stacey Abrams effectively synthesizes the insights from her guests, providing actionable steps for listeners to contribute to a more informed and engaged political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• "Our media ecosystem has become increasingly fragmented. When there is no central repository of facts, truth becomes slippery and action feels dangerous." — Stacey Abrams ([00:08])

• "TikTok has been particularly popular with Gen Z... where they get their news." — Stacey Abrams ([03:45])

• "As long as you're putting out something into the ether, whether it's on TV or on social media, you are creating content." — Aaron Parnas ([08:30])

• "We need to be spending money on hiring producers, fact-checkers, and supporting legitimate shows rather than throwing money into fleeting campaigns." — Aaron Parnas ([47:41])

• "Get off of social media for a time. Buy a physical book about politics and read it." — Khalil Green ([54:10])

Call to Action:

• Follow Khalil Green: Visit historycan'thide.substack.com to subscribe to his work and engage with historical and political analysis.

• Follow Aaron Parnas: Access his content at aaronparnas.substack.com for concise and ethically-grounded news breakdowns.

• Engage Locally: Participate in community events such as the upcoming No Kings Day protest on June 14th to foster local political engagement and community building.

This detailed summary encapsulates the core discussions and actionable insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the full podcast.