Media Election 2020

We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning.

– Jean Baudrillard

In the 2020 US election, media attention may be a startling indicator of who will win the presidency.

Polls for the 2016 US presidential election indicated Hillary Clinton as the leader, yet the media focused overwhelmingly on Donald Trump. According to the New York Times, Trump earned close to $2 billion worth of free media attention, more than twice the amount Clinton received.

Were the polls wrong? Or has our vote become a reflection of the volume of information we consume, rather than its meaning? Using artificial intelligence to ingest and analyze thousands of published articles in real-time, we can see the magnitude of a candidates’ media attention as an indication of voting behavior.

The volume of articles published about each candidate reflect who owns the news cycle and possibly your vote.

See live feeds of article analysis for and

Current events:
155
Articles published:
6549
Number of sources:
30,000

Today, Feb. 27th, Joe Biden leads in media attention by 20 points.

Volume of articles published about each candidate over time

  • 2753055 Biden articles
  • 4489756 Trump articles
  • 07/31/2020 - 02/27/2021
  • • most shared article

Meaning matters.
Especially in politics.
Especially in 2020.

The most prominent shared and unique topics by week:

Filters:

      Week starting: 02/22/2021

      Dominating the news cycle is often less about policy or substance and more about distraction and diversion.

      To win the 2020 election, Trump may be purposefully inciting the media to react, even if false. This strategy sets the frame of discussion and dominates the news cycle.

      A candidate’s ability to ‘program’ the media is a grave concern. A free and independent press is a hallmark of any democracy. But an informed citizenry needs to distinguish between who has captured our attention and who shares our values.

      This election matters.
      Your vote matters.

      Biden - 60% of media attention
      Trump - 40% of media attention

      Vote your values.

      Plan to vote by registering, finding your polling place, and requesting an absentee ballot if you need one. Before you vote, understand how candidates differ on key issues and foreign policy.

      And, help America vote by applying to be a poll worker.

      Media Election 2020 is a real-time media monitor that predicts the US presidential election winner based on media attention.

      Crafted by AREA 17

      Data from Event Registry

      Donald Trump

      Last updated at 12:1 UTC

      • Citizens United rolls out anti-Biden campaign to 'fight back' against agenda, defend Trump's record
        303
      • Gilt-y: golden Trump statue pops up at rightwing CPAC summit
        34
      • Mitch McConnell says he'd 'absolutely' support Trump as 2024 nominee
        43
      • Biden reverses Trump actions on green cards, architecture and 'anarchist jurisdictions'
        37
      • Trump Endorses Primary Opponent For Congressman Who Voted To Impeach
        24
      • Trump Endorses GOP Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas for Reelection
        10
      • Biden officially undoes Trump's designation of Seattle as an 'anarchist jurisdiction'
        14
      • A less Trumpy version of Trumpism might be the future of the Republican Party
        6
      • Opinion | The simple legal strategy Trump is using to avoid criminal charges
        5
      • Donald Trump Jr. slams Liz Cheney, says Gov. Cuomo 'would be in jail'
        6
      • Donald Trump's niece blasts his 'chutzpah' toward her fraud lawsuit,
        7
      • Capitol Riot Defendants Facing Jail Have Regrets. Judges Aren't Buying It
        7
      • President Biden Revokes Trump's Controversial Classical Architecture Order | 90.1 FM WABE
        8
      • Some local GOP leaders fire up base with conspiracies, lies
        15
      • Republican leaders want a show of unity. Will Donald Trump allow it?
        6
      • Biden Revokes 7 Trump Executive Orders, Offers No Explanation
        5
      • Capitol law enforcement heads to detail intelligence failures leading up to Jan. 6 riot
        364
      • Marjorie Taylor Greene Ally Tells Different Story On Capitol Mob: 'It Was Not Antifa'
        5
      • Citizens United Unveils Campaign to 'Fight Back' Against Biden
        5
      • Once the mainstream model, Michigan GOP embraces right wing
        5
      • US Justice Department has charged more than 300 in Capitol riot
        27
      • Prosecutors drop effort to seize three Manafort properties after
        6
      • Ted Cruz Has Shares Epic Message At CPAC -- 'Trump Ain't Goin' Anywhere'
        6
      • Past Biden, Psaki tweets criticizing Trump slammed after new Syria airstrikes
        13
      • Misinformation-spewing cable companies come under scrutiny
        6
      • Texas voters like Biden's COVID-19 response better than his overall performance, UT/TT Poll finds
        9
      • Declassified docs show FBI spying on Trump camp far wider than thought
        6
      • U.S. Attorney For Connecticut John Durham Resigns
        7
      • Yes, Stephen Miller Is Actually Calling Biden's Immigration Policies 'Cruel'
        14
      • Muslim Advocates Cheers Reintroduction of NO BAN Act
        6
      • Hammonds' grazing permit rescinded by Biden administration
        5
      • Special counsel investigating Russia probe to retire as US attorney
        22
      • A Texas judge has ruled the CDC's eviction moratorium during the pandemic is unconstitutional
        57
      • Mass shootings hit a record high in 2020. Can COVID vaccines bring peace in 2021?
        7
      • Biden to fly illegal immigrant minors to their relatives' US residences
        5
      • Riverside man arrested in Capitol riot after employer identifies him in news photo
        6
      • Opinion | School Closures Have Failed America's Children
        15
      • Watchdog reviews complaint about FBI surveillance warrant
        15
      • CPAC Crowd Surrounds Jim Acosta, Starts Chanting 'CNN Sucks!'
        27
      • Secretary of State Bellows touts Maine electoral practices to congressional panel - CentralMaine.com
        6
      • Ted Cruz, speaking at CPAC, jokes about his Cancún trip, and tells media to 'lighten up.'
        79
      • Kanye West Spent $13.2 Million -- Including $12 Million of His Own -- for 2020 Campaign
        44
      • Proposals to restrict voting gain traction in Republican states
        63
      • Pelosi jokes about Sen. 'Don' Johnson
        8
      • Senators given no timeline on removal of National Guard, Capitol fence
        6
      • U.S. pledges to investigate, as attacks on Asian Americans increase
        28
      • Cardi B and sister Hennessy Carolina ask court to toss defamation case
        5
      • Biden's aid bill wildly popular with Americans -- except Republicans in Congress
        5
      • Biden to exercise empathy skills in Texas visit after storms
        178
      • 9th Circuit eyes California ban on high-capacity magazines
        20
      • New U.S. ambassador hits ground 'sprinting' at U.N., stresses re-engagement
        47
      • Today in History - The Boston Globe
        9
      • Horowitz: Oklahoma House votes to enable legislature to block Biden's executive orders
        6
      • FBI offers $250K reward for Russian figure Kilimnik
        6
      • Josh Mandel releases details of sealed divorce
        8
      • Rep. Ron Kind 'taking a look' at U.S. Senate run
        6
      • House Republicans use proxy voting the GOP once reviled ahead of CPAC appearances
        22
      • Biden says US Covid vaccinations 'weeks ahead of schedule'
        5
      • Senate approves open carry ban at Capitol, permitted rallies
        9
      • Yellen Removes Obstacle to Global Corporate-Tax Deal
        50
      • New Mexico governor signs bill to preserve abortion rights
        6
      • Actor who appeared in Friday Night Lights is charged with beating cop
        24
      • Stephen King talks about crime, creativity and new novel
        9
      • Biden To Meet Mexican Leader In Second 'Virtual' Summit: W. House
        92
      • Affirmative action opponents ask Supreme Court to hear case over Harvard's policy
        33
      • Madison Cawthorn Accused Of Sexual Misconduct By Former College Classmates
        16
      • GOP rep's husband parked ruck with Three Percenters sticker at Capitol
        23
      • Park Police taps first Black female chief
        12
      • Wisconsin bill would require playing of national anthem at
        27
      • Anti-abortion constitutional proposal advances in Kentucky
        5
      • Former Atlanta Dream Star to Buy Team With Investor Group
        104
      • CPAC attendees boo, yell 'freedom' when asked to wear masks
        26
      • Biden defends vaccine rollout as he marks 50 million vaccinations
        81
      • Senate confirms Jennifer Granholm as Biden's energy secretary
        99
      • 'Ted Cruz, Go F--k Yourself': John Boehner Goes Off-Script While Recording Audio Book
        37

      Joe Biden

      Last updated at 12:1 UTC

      • 'US owes India $216 billion as American debt soars to $29 trillion' - Times of India
        15
      • Biden Revokes 7 Trump Executive Orders, Offers No Explanation
        5
      • Eight U.S. auto state governors urge Biden to press semiconductor firms on chip shortage
        7
      • Biden says US Covid vaccinations 'weeks ahead of schedule'
        5
      • US Achieves Important Milestone Of Administering 50 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Shots
        5
      • Biden: US to launch massive effort to educate Americans about
        9
      • Citizens United Unveils Campaign to 'Fight Back' Against Biden
        5
      • Yes, Stephen Miller Is Actually Calling Biden's Immigration Policies 'Cruel'
        14
      • Biden to exercise empathy skills in Texas visit after storms
        178
      • Biden reverses Trump actions on green cards, architecture and 'anarchist jurisdictions'
        37
      • Biden's aid bill wildly popular with Americans -- except Republicans in Congress
        5
      • Biden tells Americans not to let their guards down as new COVID-19 variants spread
        6
      • Biden defends vaccine rollout as he marks 50 million vaccinations
        81
      • Capitol law enforcement heads to detail intelligence failures leading up to Jan. 6 riot
        364
      • Biden To Meet Mexican Leader In Second 'Virtual' Summit: W. House
        92
      • Horowitz: Oklahoma House votes to enable legislature to block Biden's executive orders
        6
      • US launches air strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Syria
        10
      • Biden ignores question on stimulus check promise
        10
      • Senate panel to consider Rachel Levine's historic nomination for HHS assistant secretary
        19
      • White House climate czar to AP: Texas storm 'a wake-up call'
        7
      • Freeport eyes U.S. expansions as Biden's EV plan boosts copper demand
        9
      • Once the mainstream model, Michigan GOP embraces right wing
        5
      • The Republicans criticizing Haaland's nomination - and their ties to fossil fuels
        39
      • Arizona House Republicans approve pair of pro-gun bills
        5
      • Sen Kennedy Apologizes For Calling Biden's Interior Secretary Nominee A 'Whack Job'
        6
      • Citizens United rolls out anti-Biden campaign to 'fight back' against agenda, defend Trump's record
        303
      • Some local GOP leaders fire up base with conspiracies, lies
        15
      • The Latest: House to vote on $1.9T COVID-19 relief package
        23
      • A less Trumpy version of Trumpism might be the future of the Republican Party
        6
      • Senate confirms Jennifer Granholm as Biden's energy secretary
        99
      • Muslim Advocates Cheers Reintroduction of NO BAN Act
        6
      • Ted Cruz: 'Criminals, Murderers, Rapists' Entering U.S. on Biden's Watch
        6
      • U.S. Senate referee says Democrats can't include $15 wage in COVID bill -Bloomberg
        5
      • New U.S. ambassador hits ground 'sprinting' at U.N., stresses re-engagement
        47
      • Past Biden, Psaki tweets criticizing Trump slammed after new Syria airstrikes
        13
      • Biden officially undoes Trump's designation of Seattle as an 'anarchist jurisdiction'
        14
      • Republican leaders want a show of unity. Will Donald Trump allow it?
        6
      • A bumpy day for stocks leaves indexes mixed; yields ease
        12
      • Rand Paul criticized for trans 'gender mutilation' remarks in Rachel Levine hearing
        32
      • Misinformation-spewing cable companies come under scrutiny
        6
      • Lady Gaga offers $500,000 for return of dogs after thief steals them, shoots her dog walker
        1540
      • U.S. jobless claims fall to 730,000 but layoffs remain high
        36
      • Pandemic diplomacy: Trudeau to meet virtually with U.S. secretary of state
        28
      • New York officials, others downplay concern over new COVID-19 variant
        14
      • Riverside man arrested in Capitol riot after employer identifies him in news photo
        6
      • Kanye West Spent $13.2 Million -- Including $12 Million of His Own -- for 2020 Campaign
        44
      • US Justice Department has charged more than 300 in Capitol riot
        27
      • Russia 'strongly' condemns U.S. airstrikes against targets in Syria
        47
      • Texas voters like Biden's COVID-19 response better than his overall performance, UT/TT Poll finds
        9
      • Ted Cruz, speaking at CPAC, jokes about his Cancún trip, and tells media to 'lighten up.'
        79
      • Trump Endorses GOP Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas for Reelection
        10
      • US weekly jobless claims decline; business spending appears solid
        9
      • U.S. consumer spending rebounds; inflation muted
        9
      • Winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history
        5
      • Stephen King talks about crime, creativity and new novel
        9
      • Utah bill banning trans athletes in girls sports stalls
        8
      • US Informed Russia Via Deconfliction Channel About Thursday Airstrike in Syria, Pentagon Says
        16
      • South Dakota governor blocked from releasing records in attorney general's deadly crash
        28
      • A Texas judge has ruled the CDC's eviction moratorium during the pandemic is unconstitutional
        57
      • UN Security Council calls for cease-fires to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations
        27
      • Former State Rep. Edward Acevedo Indicted On Tax Charges
        11
      • After 10 Months at Sea, a Giant Carrier Returns to a Changed Nation
        27
      • Texas Governor Considers Lifting Statewide COVID Restrictions
        36
      • Black Lives Matter unveils $3M pandemic relief fund
        19
      • Special counsel investigating Russia probe to retire as US attorney
        22
      • The Interview - UN special envoy on Myanmar: 'Targeted sanctions are needed'
        76
      • Proposals to restrict voting gain traction in Republican states
        63
      • 'Have You No Shame?' Rep. Al Green Delivers Impassioned Speech on Equality Act
        12
      • Yellen Removes Obstacle to Global Corporate-Tax Deal
        50
      • Biden directive expands jobless aid to more unemployed
        14
      • Could solar panels and batteries on your home help prevent the next grid disaster?
        50
      • Gilt-y: golden Trump statue pops up at rightwing CPAC summit
        34
      • U.S. pledges to investigate, as attacks on Asian Americans increase
        28
      • House Republicans use proxy voting the GOP once reviled ahead of CPAC appearances
        22
      • Federal Scientists Plead for Pandemic Controls as Infection Declines Stall
        48
      • Edwards says his Louisiana budget proposal free of cuts
        12
      • 9th Circuit eyes California ban on high-capacity magazines
        20
      • Mitch McConnell says he'd 'absolutely' support Trump as 2024 nominee
        43
      • Affirmative action opponents ask Supreme Court to hear case over Harvard's policy
        33
      • COVID-19 vaccines prioritized for California educators will focus on struggling communities
        12