Over the weekend, Colorado Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert found herself at the center of social media jests due to what appeared to be a notably thin audience at a speaking engagement in her home state. This instance of public scrutiny isn’t new to Boebert, who had previously endured online taunts earlier in the month when she attempted to bring attention to an endorsement she received from Donald Trump.
In an effort to share the moments from her recent event, Boebert posted photographs on her X (formerly Twitter) account, which quickly became fodder for social media commentators. Among the commentators was Emily Brandwin, who once served as a disguise officer for the CIA. Brandwin’s response to Boebert’s post was laced with sarcasm, “Be nice, it’s the Boebert fan club for her tens of fans…I’m sorry I meant 10 fans.”
This quip not only highlighted the small turnout but also played on the language of exaggeration, using the term “tens of fans” before correcting herself to say “10 fans,” thereby emphasizing the limited size of Boebert’s audience. The situation underscores the often harsh and unforgiving nature of social media, where public figures, especially politicians, are subject to immediate and widespread commentary regarding their actions and public appearances, told Raw Story.
For Boebert, known for her vocal and controversial stance on various issues, such instances of public ridicule add another layer of challenge to her political and public relations efforts. The reaction to Boebert’s event, particularly Brandwin’s satirical comment, reflects the broader dynamics of political discourse in the digital age, where a single post can ignite a flurry of reactions ranging from supportive to scornful.
“Great to be with you today, Adams County GOP!” she wrote along with the photos. In the comments of her post, people were quick to point out the empty seats visible in pictures. Referencing Boebert’s earlier scandal, user @4HumanUnity said, “It looks like only 10 people showed up. That’s significantly lower than the attendance at the Beetlejuice musical.”
@BellAirMB added, “Ouch, that is a really small and sad turnout.” “Adams County is Blue and you are so screwed,” another user wrote Saturday. “Geez they could have met in her living room,” @mgstupelo wrote in response. An account by the name of @Marmel posted one of the photos independently and wrote, “Where was this? It’s like Boebert is at a funeral for her own ‘career.'”
Allison Gill, a veteran and comedian better known as Mueller, She Wrote, chimed in on that post. “That’s really sad that Boebert can’t sell out a 20-seat venue,” she wrote. “Speaking of selling out venues, get your tickets to The Daily Beans LIVE before they’re gone: allisongill.com.”
The incident also highlights the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of political figures, where the number of attendees at an event can be seen as a barometer of a politician’s popularity and support base. For Boebert, navigating the complexities of social media engagement means contending with both support and derision from the online community. While the sparse attendance at her speaking event provided ammunition for critics, it also serves as a reminder of the continuous scrutiny faced by public figures and the impact of social media on their public image and interactions with constituents.
In this digital era, where every post and picture can become a subject of public discourse, politicians like Boebert are reminded of the powerful role social media plays in their careers, offering both opportunities for connection and challenges in managing their public personas.
