So, what exactly is Project Coconut, and why is everyone talking about it? The term “Project Coconut” exploded into our feeds thanks to a viral quote from Vice President Kamala Harris during a White House event in May 2023. Harris asked, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.” This quote, meant to highlight the importance of context and background, quickly caught the public’s imagination. Before long, it had spawned a wave of memes and social media posts, especially among Gen Z and millennials.
The phrase “coconut pilled” soon emerged, representing die-hard belief in Harris’s candidacy and the values she stands for. The coconut tree has since become a funny yet powerful symbol of her campaign.
The birth of Project Coconut
But there’s more to Project Coconut than just a catchy phrase. It’s seen as the antithesis of Project 2025, a conservative initiative aiming to promote right-wing policies and consolidate executive power if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election. Project Coconut, in contrast, represents a progressive and inclusive vision, striking a chord with those looking for a different direction for the country.
Meme culture has been crucial in rallying support for Harris. Social media platforms like TikTok are flooded with videos and posts celebrating Project Coconut. Harris’s campaign has leaned into this trend, with her official X account, Kamala HQ, updating its bio to “Providing Context,” a clever nod to the viral quote.
The power of internet culture
Let’s be real: internet culture is now the culture. Platforms like X and TikTok are where many of us get our news and form our opinions. A tweet from Charli XCX saying “kamala IS brat” can have as much impact as an endorsement from a political heavyweight. The New Yorker hit the nail on the head when it said that more voters will be swayed by a funny video in 2024 than by traditional campaign ads.
Memes have evolved from funny internet moments to serious tools of civic engagement. They make complex ideas more accessible and engaging, turning politics into a conversation we actually want to have.
The impact on young voters
The influence of Project Coconut on young voters has been profound. Within 48 hours of Joe Biden dropping out of the race and endorsing Harris, voter registration surged by an astonishing 700%. My fyp (For You Page) on TikTok has been absolutely flooded with political content, more than it was before and even my friends and family over here in the UK can’t stop talking about it. Now obviously this wave of support online isn’t just because as Zillenials we love a political meme; it’s a testament to Harris’s ability to connect with younger audiences through both her politics and her content (p.s her social and pr manager need a raise).
This surge in engagement has had noticeable ripple effects. Trump recently backed out of an ABC debate, citing his dislike for the network. However, the timing was quite the coincidence considering he was previously willing to do an ABC debate with Biden, but facing an intelligent Black woman like Harris, especially with her newfound wave of online support, seems to be a different story. Let’s be honest, Harris could dismantle Trump’s arguments effortlessly and he knows it, and the internet’s backing only amplifies her strength.
The double-edged sword of memes
Of course, there’s a flip side. While memes can whip up enthusiasm and engagement, they can also oversimplify complicated issues. Political debates can get reduced to catchy slogans and images, which isn’t always great for deep, meaningful discourse. Harris’s campaign needs to keep the excitement going without losing sight of the substantive policy discussions.
Still, the coconut meme has done wonders for Harris’s image. It’s made her more relatable and approachable, which is huge when trying to connect with younger voters and addressing criticisms of her past as a prosecutor.
Moving forward
With just over 100 days to go before the election, Harris’s team has to keep the momentum going. They need to balance entertaining content with substantial policy talk, making sure they don’t alienate core voters while still engaging the meme-loving crowd.
So, will Project Coconut win Kamala Harris the election? We’ll have to wait and see. But one thing’s clear: in the social media age, memes are powerful tools for political engagement. Project Coconut might just be the brat-coded, relatable symbol that propels Harris to victory.
As we gear up for the final stretch of the election, all eyes will be on how Harris’s campaign leverages this viral moment. It’s going to be a wild ride, but one thing’s for sure; the influence of Project Coconut will be a key part of the story.
