Donald Trump with a red background and Kamala Harris with a blue background. Photo by author, Jordyn Wald, CC0 (no rights reserved).
Humor isn’t just amusement—it also reflects the dynamics of society. Humor can reinforce group identities, challenge authority, mobilize others to drive social change – and it helps us talk about social tensions in a way that feels easier to handle. This holds in politics as much as other social domains. In politics, humor helps people connect with candidates, rally support, and make sense of tough issues. In today’s election, supporters use memes and humor to boost candidates’ images, mock opponents, and generate political engagement.
- John Morreal. 2009. “No Laughing Matter: The Traditional Rejection of Humor and Traditional Theories of Humor.” In The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor, edited by J. Morreal. Wiley, pp. 1–26.
- Giselinde Kuipers. 2008. “The sociology of humor”. The Primer of Humor Research, edited by Victor Raskin. De Gruyter Mouton, 2008, pp. 361-398.
Political Participation
Humor and memes can inspire public participation in political conversations and support social action by spreading viral messages that strengthen group identity or challenge opponents. As participatory media, memes encourage users to remix content, making complex political issues more accessible and engaging. By framing critiques as “just jokes,” the public can combine humor with political critique, capture more attention, impact public opinion, and reduce tension.
For example, during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, memes like “Basket of Deplorables” and “Nasty Woman” became rallying cries and cultural tools to 1) mock opponents, 2) signal political affiliation and 3) be politically engaged. In the 2024 election, supporters are once again using memes to make political points. These include exaggerated AI-generated memes geared to boost Donald Trump’s image as strong and confident, or memes that turn Kamala Harris’ past criticisms with a lighthearted tone to boost her image as approachable and resilient.
- Uygay Baspehlivan. 2024. “Cucktales: Race, Sex, and Enjoyment in the Reactionary Memescape.” International Political Sociology 18(3).
- Rachel V. Kutz-Flamenbaum. 2014. “Humor and Social Movements.” Sociology Compass 8(3):294–304.
- Olivera Tesnohlidkova. 2021. “Humor and satire in politics: Introducing cultural sociology to the field.” Sociology Compass 15: e12842.
Political Protest and Opposition
Humor in protests and political opposition can empower activists to challenge authority and express discontent. In social movements, it delivers powerful messages, strengthens group bonds, and provides emotional support. Humor also makes challenging authority feel less confrontational, allowing for open conversations about change. Through satire, irony, and parody, activists connect emotionally with audiences, question power structures, and make complex issues more approachable.
However, while humor can reveal flaws in those in power, its playful nature risks being misunderstood if not used carefully. For instance, humor’s lightheartedness can weaken messages when audiences miss the criticism or view it as only entertainment.
- Harry H. Hiller. 1983. “Humor and hostility: A neglected aspect of social movement analysis.” Qualitative Sociology 6, 255–265 (1983).
- Sørensen, Majken Jul. 2017. “Laughing on the Way to Social Change: Humor and Nonviolent Action Theory.”Peace & Change 42(1):128-156.
Humor Styles and Political Appeal
Researchers have shown that humor in political messages can impact a politician’s appeal and voter support, depending on the type of humor. Karakaya and Edgell found that right-wing politicians, like Trump, often use confrontational humor to strengthen support among their base, especially among those frustrated with political elites. Trump’s outspoken humor, inspired by stand-up and sports culture, portrays him as a bold challenger of the political system, appealing to his supporters but potentially pushing away moderates who find it polarizing.
Generally, both left and right wing politicians often use humor as a tactic to address social issues and critique those in power. By employing self-mocking or inclusive jokes, politicians can connect more broadly with audiences, deflect criticism, and enhance the relatability of their messages. For instance, Kamala Harris uses humor in her challenge to Donald Trump to “say it to my face” aiming to deflect criticism and connect with her audience, while Donald Trump often uses sarcasm to deflect accusations and build a strong base of supporters.
Although political humor from both sides can boost likability, it risks backfiring if it feels insincere or too harsh, making politicians seem unapproachable and turning voters away. Any type of humor—whether aggressive, self-mocking, or inclusive—loses its impact when it feels forced or overdone.
- Yagmur Karakaya, Penny Edgell. 2022. “From Politics as Vocation to Politics as Business: Populist Social Performance and Narrative Fusion in Trump Rallies.”Social Forces, Volume 101, Issue 2, December 2022, Pages 890–912.
- Mendiburo-Seguel, Andrés, Andrew R. Olah, Dario Paez, and Patricio Navia. 2024. “Laughing Your Vote Off: The Impact of Candidates’ Humor on Voters’ Emotions and Intentions.”. Frontiers in Political Science 6.
- Mendiburo-Seguel, Andrés, Stéphanie Alenda, Thomas E. Ford, Andrew R. Olah, and Patricio D. Navia. 2022. “#funnypoliticians: How Do Political Figures Use Humor on Twitter?” Frontiers in Sociology 7.
- Hans Speier. 1998. “Wit and Politics: An Essay on Laughter and Power.” American Journal of Sociology 103(5):1352-1401.
When Studying Humor Gets Too Serious
Funny enough, social scientists studying humor, however, are often called out for “taking the fun out of it” – overanalyzing jokes and memes with theories that strip away their spontaneity and enjoyment. This creates a paradox: while humor offers valuable insights into social boundaries, challenges to authority, and the ways we build connections, studying it too closely can strip away the very lightheartedness that makes it engaging in the first place. As E.B. White put it, ‘Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.’ Yet, understanding humor’s role gives us valuable insight into how it shapes our social and political landscape.
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