Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal in the Age of Twitter
In the age of big data and social media, nothing can stay a secret for long, especially when celebrities or politicians are involved. While social media sites such as Twitter are good at exposing the truth, they are also good at clouding the truth with rumors and opinions. Those false rumors can often go unchecked in the vast realm of social media, pushing a scandal into further chaos. Overall, in the age of Twitter, scandals move faster.
Firstly, the scandal would have been discovered much sooner nowadays. If an illicit photo or hushed word about the scandal reached Twitter or any social media, it would spread like wildfire. For the first time, something other than a news source could get a hand on the big scoop. And, if the rumor on Twitter turned out to be true, a reputable news source could further validate and spread that information. With tangible accusations on Twitter, defending oneself is much more difficult, and Clinton’s infamous line, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” might have held even less merit than it did in the 90s.
Secondly, the recored phone conversations between Linda Tripp and Monica Lewinsky would have been much more likely to be leaked. If any part of those conversations had reached Twitter or any social media interface, they would have been a death sentence for Clinton’s presidency. However, due some individuals’ skepticism of social media, there would have been a decent number of people who would have accused the recordings of being fake since they were not released from a reputable news source. The recordings along with the semen-stained dress would have provided perfect fuel for the spread of false rumors on the Internet; we have seen that social media reduces our curiosity by showing us exactly what we already want and think, and many would be willing to believe lies about the scandal if it satisfied their feelings towards the Clinton administration.
Finally, following Clinton’s eventual confession, Twitter would be swarming with opinions. Some would declare Clinton a sleaze bag who never deserved to be president. On the other hand, some would urge us to focus on Clinton’s policy and stay out of his personal life. There would also be plenty of debate about sexual misconduct in the workplace, Lewinsky’s culpability in the situation, and the #MeToo movement as a whole.
In the age of big data, scandals are big: they’re seen by seemingly infinite numbers of people with infinite numbers of opinions on the issue. However, scandals in the age of big data are also short-lived. Yes, the consequences, such as an impeachment, might be long lasting but the public eye is quickly shifted to the next sensational scandal and resulting debate.
