Politicians can learn from Wendy’s, Trump

So it appears that Wendy’s is now the Donald Trump of fast food chains, at least as it regards Twitter. The AP reports:

It started Monday when a Twitter user accused the fast food chain of lying about using “fresh, never frozen” beef for its hamburgers. After Wendy’s reiterated its fresh beef policy, the user asked if the company delivered it raw on a hot truck. Wendy’s rhetorically asked the user where cold things are stored that aren’t frozen. The user responded with a claim that McDonald’s served a better breakfast, to which Wendy’s said, “You don’t have to bring them into this just because you forgot refrigerators existed for a second there.”

AP also points out social media users have given Wendy’s high praise for this troll takedown. It all calls to mind President-elect Donald Trump’s aggressive use of Twitter to belittle his opponents. (Today’s edition: Meryl Streep). Trump receives less in the way of high praise than does Wendy’s; indeed, political sophisticates often scoff at his sometimes-over the top use of Twitter. But no one denies his tweets are effective at beating back attacks and clogging up a news cycle in his favor. I’d like to see more politicians take the path of Wendy’s and Trump. Reading Tweets from most politicians is a little like conversing with someone for whom English is not quite yet a second language. You kinda know what they’re saying, but it’s not exactly right. That’s because most politicians believe social media is a way for them to get their message out. Well, it is and it isn’t. By all means, push your message. But expect someone to push back. And then defend your message and your name and your brand. Engage with the people who love you and especially with those who hate you. Is it good for democracy? I don’t know. But social media will reward you for it.