The photograph of Rafał Trzaskowski in an orange jacket, making push-ups in the snow in Beskid Śląski, rapidly became an online hit. The candidate for president for the Civic Platform wanted to show strength and toughness, but the consequence of network users completely changed the context of this gesture. net users began to make comic memes and short films in which the cut-out character of Trzaskowski appears in various situations.
Ingenuity and humor of net users rapidly spread on social media, and the subject became a nationwide entertainment. Can this online “creativity” affect the image of politics and its campaign?
And, dears, remember, before dinner – for those who ate besides much – the best pumps. Dr Rafał Trzaskowski pic.twitter.com/0p054crpxG
— Rafał Trzaskowski (@smukowski_) December 25, 2024— Janusz Ch. (@Janusz_Ch_) December 25, 2024Jean Claude Van Trzaskowski – epic pic.twitter.com/PKPGPX7Iw6
— Zachary, Rafał Kowalski, The Husband of NieStanu (@Zacharologia) December 25, 2024Bonjour. Je m'appelle Trzaskowski et je suis le candidate. En général. pic.twitter.com/G9KHQk8C9d
— Luke Warzecha (@lkwarzecha) December 25, 2024— Supermeming (@Supermeming) December 25, 2024How the image changed its meaning
It all started with an innocent entry on the X platform, where Trzaskowski made a photograph of “mountain training”. In the background of Beskida, snow and natural nature were to emphasize the determination and efficiency of the candidate. However, network users rapidly saw the possible for jokes. The character in the orange coat was cut out of the first photograph and put in a variety of scenery – from movie outdoors to absurd situations specified as the Falcon 1 rocket flight or the conflict with dinosaurs.
The most creative memes turned into short films, in which Trzaskowski "makes pumps" in space, in hell, and even at the top of the Palace of Culture. Read more:
Internet Mem as a Political Gun
Memes can be a powerful tool in electoral campaigns. They can increase policy designation but besides weaken its seriousness. In the case of Rafał Trzaskowski, memes are alternatively negative. They pay attention to his run and show that he has become the main character of the net for a moment. There is simply a hazard that modifications will make his image cease to be taken seriously.
Such situations can harm the key moments of the campaign. Voters, alternatively of remembering the seriousness of the message, can associate politics only with humorous images.
It got out of control, but I think the author wanted it. pic.twitter.com/XAm6PsQ9Vx
— Wojciech Mucha (@Wojciech Mucha) December 25, 2024All right, you like the eagle, I close the portal. Good night! pic.twitter.com/74ZnKKoi6X
— Wojciech Mucha (@Wojciech Mucha) December 25, 2024Guys! It's moving! pic.twitter.com/kr4MSh4zFn
— Mr Cezary Krysztopa #BabysLivesMatter (@cezarykrysztopa) December 25, 2024What could be the result? Is there going to be problem for Rafal Trzaskowski?
Although the current meme wave seems harmless, there is simply a hazard of escalation. In the past, akin cases have been utilized in negative campaigns, where political opponents have taken over humorous content and have given it a negative effect. In the net age it is hard to foretell how long the subject will live and whether its end consequence will be beneficial to Trzaskowski.
Meanwhile, the candidate himself seems to approach the case at a distance. He's not commenting on the situation yet.
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