A Palo Alto-based SuperPAC, supported by tech giants, is raising at least $10 million to better understand the algorithms that help Trump and his allies dominate vertical video platforms.
The main reelection SuperPAC for U.S. President Joe Biden, Future Forward USA Action, is gathering millions of dollars in a strategic effort to address a significant challenge: the highly effective social media machine of Republican Donald Trump. This previously secret and unreported effort aims to understand the Republicans’ ability to disseminate viral videos that shape public opinion.
The initiative reflects growing concern among Democrats and Biden supporters about the effectiveness of the former president’s digital campaign. Trump’s ability to flood social media with videos that often go viral, portraying Biden as too old and out of touch with reality, is a constant headache for Biden’s team. The perception is that Democrats are lagging on a digital battlefield with few rules to control manipulated or misleading content before it reaches tens of millions of Americans on their smartphones.

Future Forward USA Action, known for its discreet and highly strategic operations, is focused on enhancing the digital presence of Democrats. The group aims not only to create effective content but also to understand the complexities of the algorithms driving video distribution on social media. With the support of leading tech companies, they hope to level the playing field and prevent the Republican narrative from dominating the digital space.
This initiative is part of a larger effort to modernize the Democrats’ communication strategy, which includes investments in data technology, social media analytics, and content creation that can compete with the effectiveness of Trump’s videos. The $10 million fundraising campaign is just the beginning of a broader plan to ensure that Biden’s message reaches and resonates with a digitally connected electorate.
The Palo Alto-based SuperPAC, backed by tech giants like Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook, and Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, is raising at least $10 million to explore the algorithms that help Trump and his allies dominate vertical video platforms.
Furthermore, it plans to collaborate with left-leaning influencers to create and disseminate new content, according to two sources familiar with the plans.
Popular social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have adopted short vertical videos as their primary format, creating a network of influencers who use these platforms to reach millions of Americans with various lifestyle content, opinions, and personal experiences.
Last month, Future Forward partnered with the Democratic groups Way to Win and Hub Project to organize a three-day event called “Trending Up” at a luxury hotel in Washington, D.C., attended by 140 influencers, according to organizers.
Current efforts by Future Forward are focusing on platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok, informed sources reported.
“Future Forward is here to solve problems, and TikTok is a problem, and the group is trying to address this problem effectively,” said one of the Democratic sources.
The social media battle could significantly impact a tight race between Biden and Trump, especially given polls showing both candidates are unpopular with many voters.
Since Biden’s campaign officially joined TikTok in February, over 200 posts have been created, resulting in just over 380,000 followers. In contrast, Trump joined the platform only two weeks ago but has already amassed 6.4 million followers.
Social media plays a crucial role in how Americans consume news, particularly among younger audiences. According to a February study by the Pew Research Center, half of U.S. adults occasionally get news through social media.
Chauncey McLean, director of Future Forward, did not respond to requests for comments. The group, which plans to spend $250 million on television and digital ads this campaign season, rarely speaks publicly about its activities.
The influence of social media could be decisive in a close contest between Biden and Trump, as polls show both candidates facing high disapproval ratings. Future Forward, along with other Democratic groups, is committed to better understanding and leveraging short video platforms to reach and engage audiences, particularly through left-leaning influencers and content that resonates with younger voters.
Supported by prominent tech figures like Dustin Moskovitz and Reid Hoffman, Future Forward is making significant efforts to decipher the algorithms that favor the spread of viral videos, aiming to balance the digital landscape in a highly competitive election.
With a focus on short video platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok, the group strives to create a stronger and more influential presence for Biden and the Democrats. The “Trending Up” event and collaborations with left-leaning influencers are strategic components of this effort to reach a younger and more active audience on social media.
As Biden’s campaign continues to build its following on TikTok, Future Forward and other Democratic allies are working to develop content that not only attracts views but also changes perceptions and mobilizes voters. The social media battle, with its potential to influence millions of Americans, will be critical in an election characterized by unpopular candidates and tight competition.
As the election approaches, Democrats hope their renewed social media strategy will level the digital playing field and help Biden surpass Trump’s powerful social media machine, thereby making a significant impact on the election outcomes.