Oh my, when the social media universe aligns with the realm of politics, we often find ourselves in the midst of something both amusing and utterly baffling. Enter: Harry Sisson, TikTok influencer and muse of the moment for a trending #DeportHarry campaign. The drama unfolded when Harry, with his energetic TikTok persona, decided he had some rather spicy takes on the Biden administration’s hostage negotiations compared to the Trump era. Americans took to the internet with fervor, and a campaign to kick Harry out of the country began. It’s like the finale of Survivor, but with an entire nation voting him off the island.
For those unfamiliar with Harry, picture someone who’s an expert at internet dance challenges and political commentary—often at the same time. This young man wasn’t born stateside; instead, he entered the world in Singapore while his American parents were working abroad. He later lived in Dubai and Dublin before landing in the United States. But fear not, Harry assures everyone, this makes him quite American indeed. A bit of a world tour before settling in the land of liberty surely adds spice to his ideas and content. Yet, MAGA supporters seem intent on painting him as foreign as a jar of Vegemite.
Conservative influencers, ever ready to rally their followers, have seized upon Harry’s comments about the Middle East situation as the impetus to question his citizenship. The trending topic became hotter than a jalapeño at a Texas barbecue as demands to deport Sisson roared across various social media platforms. Sisson, unfazed and perhaps doubling down on the drama, took to defending his roots, explaining that even though he wasn’t born on US soil, he’s as American as apple pie because of his parents’ citizenship and by the glorious Constitution. Take that, Magna Carta.
The calls to deport Harry highlight an interesting revelation about the dynamics of modern American populism: it’s a reality show in and of itself, where those with the biggest megaphones get to steer the narrative. Whether you’re a fan of his dance videos or his political rants, there’s no denying Harry knows how to stir the pot. His claim that Biden’s work in the Middle East surpasses the Trump administration’s efforts hit conservative nerves harder than a gavel in Congress. And whether it’s a satirical dance-off or some intense tweetery, Harry seems ready to defend his red, white, and blue lineage to anyone willing to listen—or, in this case, watch his TikToks.
It must be said, however, that engaging in such a public spat carries its own risks and rewards. The spotlight can be as welcoming as an open invitation to make a fool out of oneself. For Harry, it’s a chance to showcase his citizenship papers in one hand while keeping his phone firmly in the other, recording the entire ordeal. It’s a curious dance, and Harry seems up for the challenge. Whether he ends up streaming from a cafe in Singapore or still stirring debate stateside is up for America to decide, and perhaps more importantly, to like, share, and subscribe.
