Elderly lawmakers and social media have ‘degraded’ Congress: Tiana Lowe Doescher – Washington Examiner
In a recent analysis by Tiana Lowe Doescher for the *Washington Examiner*, she highlights two primary factors contributing to the low approval ratings of Congress: the old age of many lawmakers adn their engagement in social media antics. Citing an article that interviewed 25 congressional members, doescher notes concerns about the functional capacity of some lawmakers, mentioning Rep.Jim Himes (D-CT), who indicated that certain colleagues may lack the necessary faculties to perform effectively.
Doescher points out that extreme age among lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi, is problematic, particularly given that public trust in Congress is currently lower than that in Donald Trump. She emphasizes that elderly members often struggle with their duties and that excessive drinking before evening votes is a noticeable issue.
Furthermore, Doescher critiques the tendency of legislators to focus on social media performance rather than substantive governance, comparing this behavior to “performance art” and likening it to the adult content industry. She argues that the use of memes and TikTok videos dilutes the seriousness of legislative work and suggests that Congress must distance itself from outdated branding and unpopular policies to improve public perception. Recent criticisms of lawmakers’ TikTok videos demonstrate the growing frustration over the intersection of politics and social media.
Elderly lawmakers and social media have ‘degraded’ Congress: Tiana Lowe Doescher
The Washington Examiner’s Tiana Lowe Doescher assessed there are two major issues impacting the approval rating of Congress, being elderly lawmakers and social media campaigns other congressional members are partaking in.
Doescher’s arguments were made about an article that asked 25 congressional members for their thoughts on the governing body, which detailed how drinking, dementia, and possibly even sex are all affecting the House and Senate. Among the lawmakers interviewed in the piece was Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), who stated “there’s no question” that up to a dozen of his fellow Congressional members do not have the “faculties” to perform their job.
“At least the defense is ‘everyone’s drinking for 11 p.m. votes,” Doescher stated on Fox News’s The Will Cain Show. “The issue with these incredibly old lawmakers is that they’re not functional ever during the day, right? You had Kay Granger managed to live in a retirement facility for half her term last year, and remember, right now congressional approval rating is literally half of that of Donald Trump’s. We have barely a quarter of the country that thinks Congress is doing an OK, passable job, and part of this is why! You have 84-year-old Nancy Pelosi still effectively running the Democrat Party.”
Doescher previously argued last year the Democrats need to rid themselves of the “geriatric” branding the party currently has if wants to improve its chances at winning future elections. She also cited how the party needs to distance itself from “unpopular policies.”
Doescher also assessed Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-PA) statement in how so many lawmakers are partaking in “performance art” by monetizing their latest speech or protest, comparing it to adult actors on OnlyFans and that “there’s not a lot of dignity in it.” Doescher contended that “prostituting yourself” is not indifferent from what “half of Congress is doing,” citing how Democrats are using “memes” rather than challenging President Donald Trump on his nominees or bringing different bills to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
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“It’s been TikTok videos of ‘choose your fighter’ and look at AOC dance, or hold up your Fogo de Chao sign accusing ‘Donald Trump of stealing’ and Elon Musk of being a liar,” Doescher stated. “I mean, the hashtag resistance process has totally degraded the quality of the lawmaker.”
This week, the White House and many on social media largely rebuked a TikTok video in which Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and several other lawmakers mimicked characters in a fighting video game.
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