Two days ago a TikTok appeared on an account with the username @bernie, asking for user submissions from Bernie Sanders supporters. The account’s first TikTok video has garnered more than 2.4 million views.
While Sanders himself doesn’t appear in the TikTok, the account is verified and upon further investigation, its legit. It even has its own subpage on Sanders’ website, Berniesanders.com/tiktok, where TikTok users 18 and older can submit their own short videos about why they’re voting for Bernie Sanders.
The second TikTok on the account was posted earlier today, and features a meme-style run through of some of Sanders’ key campaign points including medicare for all and cancelling student debt.
While Sanders’ campaign TikTok has so far flown largely under the radar, it is likely meant to bolster young voters to head to the polls. The New York Times reports that while voters between 18 and 29 are Sanders’ most likely supporters, they often struggle when it comes to actual voter turnout.
The officially verified account also serves as a protection for the Sanders campaign, as Business Insider reports that TikTok users have been making fake accounts to post as popular politicians like President Donald Trump — and even Sanders himself — since January. Now TikTok users wanting to find the real Senator Sanders will just have to look for the blue check mark next to the username to make sure they’re following the right account.