Rep. Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia recently joined the TikTok trend known as “aura farming.” He posted a video of himself dancing in the congressional subway, captioned “on my way to hold this administration accountable.” However, the reaction to his post wasn’t as he might have hoped.
In the video, Subramanyam, wearing sunglasses, dances and strikes poses, seemingly enjoying himself. Unfortunately, many viewers found the post to be tone-deaf and hypocritical, leading to criticism in the comment section. Instead of praise, he received backlash from individuals who feel frustrated with the lack of action from Democrats in Washington. Comments included pointed remarks like, “By doing nothing?” and “Actually do something.”
Critics highlighted Subramanyam’s recent controversial decision to vote against moving forward with an impeachment resolution against former President Trump. On June 24, 2025, he voted to block the resolution concerning “high crimes and misdemeanors,” a move that did not sit well with some constituents who are eager for decisive actions from their representatives.
Many comments reflected a general frustration with what they perceive as performative politics. One user quipped, “-1000 aura,” while another sarcastically remarked, “Our taxpayer money hard at work…” Others directly questioned what Subramanyam was actually planning to accomplish, pointing out that his party has, in their view, largely failed to deliver results.
A long-winded response captured what many felt: “Not trying to be disrespectful. But? Less of this stuff. More action, please.” This voter expressed a desire for lawmakers to focus on their duties rather than engaging in social media antics, hinting that many citizens feel underrepresented and unheard.
Subramanyam, who previously served as a tech advisor in the Obama administration, has styled himself as a moderate Democrat. He made history by being the first South Asian elected to Virginia’s General Assembly, and he often emphasizes his immigrant roots in his political messaging. His approach appears to be aimed at connecting with younger voters, but some see his TikTok venture as misguided.
The “aura farming” trend, which has gained traction among younger generations, is characterized by laid-back poses and movements. It gained major attention after a viral video featuring an 11-year-old Indonesian boy dancing confidently. Most aura farming videos are set to the catchy tune “Young Black & Rich” by Melly Mike.
Although some might argue that reaching out to younger audiences through platforms like TikTok is innovative, the backlash suggests that many believe there’s a time and place for dance videos—and that serious political accountability should take precedence right now. As national issues grow increasingly pressing, constituents are calling for authentic engagement and substantive proposals from their elected representatives.
In this climate, it remains to be seen whether Subramanyam will adjust his strategy moving forward or continue to rely on lighthearted content to connect with voters. For many, governing should be characterized by clear action and accountability rather than social media trends or catchy captions.
