Kamala Harris Details Learning of Charli XCX's Viral 'kamala IS brat' Tweet, Campaign Embraces Youth Trend

Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has reportedly detailed the moment she learned of pop star Charli XCX's viral "kamala IS brat" tweet, an event that significantly impacted her campaign's engagement with younger voters. The Vice President recounted this experience in her new book, "107 Days," and in subsequent interviews, highlighting how the three-word social media post became a cultural phenomenon.

The tweet, posted by Charli XCX on July 21, 2024, came hours after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris. The British singer's declaration, referencing her critically acclaimed album "Brat" and its distinctive lime green aesthetic, quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms. Many saw it as an unexpected but powerful endorsement.

Harris's campaign swiftly embraced the "brat" trend, rebranding its official X (formerly Twitter) account, @KamalaHQ, with a lime green background and the album's signature font. This strategic move aimed to connect with Gen Z voters, who had already been creating memes and fan edits featuring Harris set to Charli XCX's music. The campaign's adoption of the aesthetic signaled an understanding of online culture.

Charli XCX, while stating her tweet was intended to be "something positive and lighthearted" rather than a serious political endorsement, later expressed satisfaction that it could "help to prevent democracy from failing forever." The tweet and the subsequent "Brat Summer" trend became a focal point for discussions on youth political engagement, with analysts noting its potential to mobilize younger demographics ahead of the election. This unexpected intersection of pop culture and politics underscored a new approach to campaign outreach.