The Illusion of Intimacy: Parasocial Relationships in Modern Politics

Politicians are no longer just political figures, they’re curated personalities, crafted for digital intimacy and viral appeal. As voters form parasocial relationships with these carefully managed public images, political engagements shift from policy to personality. Criticism becomes disloyalty, power hides behind charm, and emotional attachment overrides accountability. In treating politicians like people we know, like, or even idolize, we risk replacing democratic responsibility with affective loyalty, and in doing so, we protect the image more than the institution.

Columns, OpinionAdriana ConcepcionJuly 6, 2025Opinion Piece, Columns, Social Media, Trump, MAGAComment

The Politics of Control: The Hunger Games, MAGA, and the Rebranding of Dissent

The Hunger Games offers a framework for understanding how narrative functions as a tool of political control through the lens of media, rhetoric, and perception. In Panem, the Capitol doesn’t just eliminate opposition, it controls its image. President Donald Trump’s political strategies have relied on similar mechanisms, creating a parallel between him and President Snow (and the Capitol). In 2016, grievance became branding. In 2020, the campaign prioritized spectacle. Now, in 2025, after a return to the office, that approach has only intensified. This emphasis has shifted from confronting dissent directly to influencing how it is publicly interpreted and politically leveraged.

Columns, OpinionAdriana ConcepcionMay 5, 2025Opinion, Columns, Trump, Media, MAGAComment

Violent Pro-Trump Riot Breaches the US Capitol Building Over Election Results

“The demonstrators stormed through barriers and broke through windows of the Capitol building as they tried to make their way to the chambers. Law enforcement officers were then dispatched to the area and many congress members evacuated with their staff to a safe place. However, the officers were not able to stop the rioters from getting into the building.”