Social media influencers were welcomed to the White House for a special event where President Joe Biden acknowledged their significant impact on millions of devoted followers. Over 100 influencers from various fields such as chefs, makeup artists, fitness experts, and medical students gathered to discuss pressing issues like mental health, pay equality, and the misuse of artificial intelligence.

During his visit to the Indian Treaty Room at the White House complex, President Biden addressed the influencers, emphasizing their importance by stating, “The fact is, you are the future.” He praised them as the new source of news and communication breakthroughs, jokingly adding, “And that’s why I invited you to the White House, because I’m looking for a job.”

Among the attendees were well-known figures like makeup artist Jackie Aina, chef My Nguyen, and medical student Joel Bervell, who collectively have millions of followers. The White House aimed to highlight the significance and economic value of the content creator industry, estimated at around $250 billion globally.

The event at the White House underlined the potential impact of young voters in the upcoming elections, signaling the importance of engaging with this demographic for both Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump. As youth-led groups endorse Vice President Harris, efforts to reconnect with young voters have intensified to secure their support.

While President Trump is also actively engaging with influencers to gain support, the legal battle between the Biden administration and TikTok, a popular social media platform, continues. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, faces a federal law requiring the platform to be sold to a U.S.-approved buyer or risk a ban, a move supported by bipartisan officials concerned about potential Chinese influence.

Despite prior negotiations between TikTok and the Biden administration to address these issues, an agreement was not reached, raising uncertainties about the platform’s future in the U.S. as the legal dispute persists.