"We document a sharp rise in anger on both the supply side (content provided by policy makers) and the demand side (emotional responses by citizens) since 2016."
"Content that triggers anger drove significantly more engagement on X, while anger in policymakers' discourse aligns with shifts in political power."
"Negative emotions increased support for protectionism, restrictive immigration policies, redistribution and climate policies, while positive emotions have little effect on policy preferences."
"Anger, and social media posts that evoke an emotional response, drove more support for politicians who campaign on divisive issues."
Research indicates that X has become a major source of political division, particularly since 2016. A study from Harvard University analyzed social media posts from 2013 to 2025, revealing a rise in anger-driven content. This anger correlates with increased engagement and aligns with shifts in political power. Negative emotions have been linked to support for divisive policies, while positive emotions have minimal impact on voter preferences. The findings suggest that emotional responses significantly influence political discourse and voter behavior on the platform.
Read at www.socialmediatoday.com
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