Once a target of Musk’s ire, Gen Z creator Kat Abughazaleh is running for Congress

Once a target of Musk’s ire, Gen Z creator Kat Abughazaleh is running for Congress

Last year, Kat Abughazaleh’s career took an unexpected turn when layoffs at Media Matters left her without a job. The incident caught the attention of Elon Musk, who took to X to remark,Karma is real.Now, the 26‐year-old independent social media creator is throwing her hat into the political arena with a campaign for Congress. In a recent video announcement on her campaign launch, Kat made it clear that she is ready to challenge the status quo—especially as Elon Musk’s influence over federal institutions continues to grow.

Once a target of Musk’s ire, Gen Z creator Kat Abughazaleh is running for Congress

Targeting Illinois’ Ninth District, Kat Abughazaleh aims to unseat the 80‐year-old incumbent Jan Schakowsky—a representative elected long before Kat Abughazaleh was born. “I have ideas that I want to push and a big social media platform to back them up,” she explained. “I felt I shouldn’t wait for someone else to act when I have the power to make a difference right now.”

During her time at Media Matters, Kat Abughazaleh became known for her incisive videos that broke down the inconsistencies in mainstream media and debunked claims from outlets like Fox News. However, following a lawsuit against Media Matters over controversial ad placements—a legal battle that led to costly consequences—Kat Abughazaleh, along with a dozen colleagues, lost her job.

Since then, Kat Abughazaleh has built an impressive online following. Today, she boasts over half a million followers across platforms, including a substantial base on TikTok where 222,000 users tune in for her progressive political commentary.

Progressive Priorities and a Digital Approach

Kat’s political vision centers on ensuring that basic needs should be affordable for everyone. “There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be able to cover housing, groceries, and healthcare while still having money left over,” she declared. Her platform calls for free childcare, an expanded Social Security system, and the protection of inalienable rights regardless of who is in power.

Her journey into politics resonates on a broader scale, particularly given a current climate where more than 30,000 federal employees have faced job losses influenced by high-profile industry figures. “A lot of people in journalism have been experiencing a trial period—a sort of dry run of the challenges we now see affecting the country,” Kat explained. “It’s frustrating to be proven right, but it also means we have the knowledge and tools to fight back.

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A Gen Z Perspective on Digital Politics

Historically, younger voters have leaned liberal, but recent trends show a shift in political alignment among Gen Z. Kat Abughazaleh believes that part of the reason for this change is a gap in digital strategy on the part of traditional Democrats. “I think the big problem Democrats have is their digital strategy,” Kat Abughazaleh noted. “People like me, who have grown up with the internet, bring a fresh approach to engaging voters online.”

Critics have raised concerns about her age and the extensive digital footprint it creates. Kat Abughazaleh’s response? A humorous nod to her past: “I hope you enjoy my middle school One Direction fan blog and pictures of my cat,” she quipped in a reply to one skeptic on X. In today’s world, where even presidents post candidly from a young age, having an online presence is hardly unusual—something Kat Abughazaleh fully embraces as she continues her campaign.

The Bluesky Strategy

Despite her history with Musk, Kat isn’t centering her strategy around X. Instead, she’s focusing on platforms like Bluesky, where she has amassed around 154,000 followers. For instance, on the day she launched her campaign, she initially shared her announcement exclusively on Bluesky for an hour and a half before expanding to other networks.

She praises Bluesky for its robust moderation policies—especially at a time when other social giants like Meta have recently overhauled their content moderation strategies. With Bluesky’s community steadily growing to over 33 million users and even figures like former president Barack Obama joining the platform, Kat’s digital approach appears to be paying off.

Campaign Success and Future Aspirations

In the first seven hours following her announcement, Kat’s campaign raised an impressive $100,000, with each donor contributing an average of $45. This early success underscores the appeal of her transparent, grassroots approach.

On her YouTube channel, Kat plans to document every step of her campaign journey. “I want to be completely transparent about what it takes to run for office,” she said. By sharing her experiences, she hopes not only to secure a seat in Congress, but also to inspire even younger candidates to consider public service.

Affordable housing, groceries, and healthcare for all
Free childcare and an expanded Social Security program
Transparency in the political process

Whether she wins or not, Kat’s campaign is already making waves. Her determination, combined with a savvy digital strategy, sets a new standard for how Gen Z can influence politics in the digital era.