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John McEntee to Speak at MCC Fest on Social Media and Democracy

John McEntee, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, is set to participate in a panel discussion at this year’s MCC Fest in Esztergom. The panel, titled Fight on Social Media: Competition for Normalcy?, will see McEntee share his insights on the role of social media in modern democracy and the ongoing cultural battles in the United States.

McEntee's rapid ascent in the Trump White House began as an unpaid volunteer during the 2015 campaign. He quickly climbed the ranks to become the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, overseeing more than 4,000 political appointments. Reflecting on his early days, McEntee remarked, "It was very exciting for me because he wasn't a typical politician... I started early and took every job offered."

Describing his experience working with Donald Trump, McEntee highlighted the president's unmatched work ethic during the campaign, recalling Trump's ability to visit multiple states in a single day. "It was a very exciting time, and I'm glad I witnessed it from the front row," he said. His role in the White House was equally rewarding, where he observed critical decision-making processes and the historical significance of the administration’s actions.

After the Trump presidency, McEntee ventured into social media, founding "The Right Stuff," a conservative dating app, and gaining substantial influence on TikTok by producing content on cultural and political issues. He chose TikTok for its potential to go viral without a large following, making it an effective platform for reaching a broad audience. "TikTok is a platform where you don't need a large following to go viral," he explained.

Discussing the impact of social media on democracy, McEntee believes that control over social media platforms plays a crucial role in election outcomes. He referenced historical precedents like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s use of radio and John F. Kennedy’s effective use of television, stating, "Whoever controls the platform increases their chances of winning the election."

McEntee also addressed the significant issue of censorship faced by conservatives on tech platforms. "The biggest problem conservatives have had with tech companies is censorship, which has appeared on almost every platform. We've moved towards a freer internet, which I think is good. There need to be some rules, but the fact that Elon Musk bought Twitter is a huge win for this. Alternative platforms are also working better now, which is a big victory," he said.

Regarding the impact of social media on youth, McEntee agreed that platforms like Instagram could be harmful. "We should collectively, as a society and country, say that maybe we should introduce an age limit for social media use, as people might be getting on these platforms too early," he suggested.

McEntee also highlighted the issues of misinformation and harmful content on social media. He pointed out the challenges when "a left-leaning, somewhat authoritarian group gains power and dislikes the fact that someone questions financial support for Ukraine or how information about Covid reached us. So they say, 'Okay, then we'll ban your platform.' That's not good. Everyone is learning on the go, and hopefully, we're moving in a better direction than before."

He remains dedicated to the conservative movement, focusing on building his brand and the dating app, The Right Stuff. Highlighting ongoing cultural battles, particularly regarding trans issues and perceived anti-white racism, he stressed the importance of delivering conservative values effectively. "There is an appetite for conservative values; we just need to deliver them properly," he said.

Expressing interest in Hungary, McEntee noted the positive feedback he received about the country and its leadership. He mentioned the admiration figures like Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump have for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, indicating his eagerness to learn more during his visit.