On Wednesday, an opposition group that is now actively campaigning against freshman Congressman Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina released a video that showed the Republican lawmaker naked in bed and thrusting his groin at another person’s head. The video was first published by American Muckrakers PAC, a political group that is reported to run the “Fire Madison Cawthorn” website, in advance of the state’s May 17 primary.
The video, which had been passed to the group by a “former supporter” of Cawthorn, has since trended across social media with the hashtag “madisoncawthornvideo.”
The video appears to show the 26-year-old freshman congressman screaming and chanting as he thrust his pelvis against an unidentified man. Another individual, who is believed to have filmed the encounter on a smartphone, could be heard laughing in the background and telling Cawthorn to “stick it in his face.”
Rep. Cawthorn responded to the video on Wednesday evening via a tweet from his verified social media account (@CawthornforNC), “A new hit against me just dropped. Years ago, in this video, I was being crass with a friend, trying to be funny. We were acting foolish, and joking. That’s it. I’m NOT backing down. I told you there would be a drip drip campaign. Blackmail won’t win. We will.”
This is just the latest controversy for the congressman, who is facing an unusually crowded GOP primary for an incumbent Congressman. Last month, several photos emerged on social media that showed Cawthorn dressed in women’s lingerie.
Career Ruining Moments?
It was the late Democrat Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards who famously boasted during a successful election campaign in 1983, “The only way I can lose this election is if I’m caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy.”
That was of course long before the days of smartphones and social media, where past “deeds” or “actions” could come back and haunt anyone.
“Today social media and the Internet can amplify a message like this,” explained Dr. Chris Haynes, associate professor of international affairs and political science at the University of New Haven.
“Anything that can be really embarrassing could be career-ending, and not just for politicians,” warned Haynes. “Anyone with an iPhone can quickly record something controversial or embarrassing and send it around the world.”
While Cawthorn has certainly become a lightning rod for controversy, he is far from the only lawmaker to come under scrutiny for questionable acts and statements that quickly make the rounds on social media.
“This goes to a deeper question, what do we expect from our politicians,” pondered Haynes. “We want them to be perfect, we want them to be a step up from the rest of us, yet authentic, and that is a very unrealistic standard.”
Social Media Is Weaponizing The Past
It remains unclear when the apparent encounter between Cawthorn and the other individual took place, or even how American Muckrakers PAC obtained the video, but this also isn’t the first time that actions from someone’s past have resurfaced and been shared on the social platforms.
“In this way, social media has revolutionized politics, for good and bad,” said Haynes. “We have seen a new breed of politicians who gained popularity by exploiting social media. They live and die by the social media sword.”
It is certainly harder than ever to keep the “skeletons in the closet,” yet we should question whether we want our politics to become about simply dredging up more dirt on the other side, especially in an era where misinformation is so common. Additionally, technology is making it easier than ever to manipulate video. Cawthorn didn’t dispute the authenticity of this video, but we’ve already seen that Deepfakes and edited images have made the rounds on social media.
“We should be concerned that anyone can so easily manipulate the message,” warned Haynes. “Once a story is out there, it is impossible to contain. We also have to worry about how nefarious actors, including those from other countries, are already trying to wage an information war. Social media is so instantaneous that it can make it challenging for us to maintain our freedom when disinformation can spread so quickly.”
Scorched Earth
The other worrisome trend – whether it is a video of Cawthorn or tweets about Hunter Biden’s laptop – is that both sides have increasingly engaged in a scorched earth policy to use social media to destroy the other side. Instead of focusing on the issues that a candidate may stand for, it is increasingly about finding the worst thing he or she has done and sharing that to the masses.
“It is unfortunate that we are so polarized that people don’t even think before they would go public with the dirt they have on their political enemies,” said Haynes. “It is more about the tribe than our society and country. Yet, this is the age we live in, and I don’t know if there is an answer to curb this.”
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
