Naomi Seibt: Right-Wing Influencer Exploiting Populist Tactics
Introduction
Naomi Seibt, a right-wing influencer, has gained notoriety for her videos on TikTok, X, and YouTube, where she openly advocates for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and has proclaimed a "Revolution 2025." Seibt’s rhetoric resonates with supporters by framing them as victims and presenting herself as their savior.
Emotional Appeals and Identity Politics
Seibt’s videos employ two key populist strategies:
- Projection of Fears: She allows her viewers to project their concerns and anxieties onto political enemies, providing emotional relief.
- Simple Solutions: She offers simplistic solutions, such as denouncing, attacking, and deporting perceived threats.
By presenting herself as approachable and authentic, Seibt establishes a connection with her audience, a tactic described by sociologists Leo Löwenthal and Norbert Gutermann as "one of us."
Denunciation of Political Opponents
Seibt delegitimizes her political opponents by denouncing them as liars, reinforcing her self-portrayal as a truth-teller. This rhetoric aligns with Ruth Wodak’s research on far-right extremism, which suggests it nourishes a nationalist "people’s concept" by portraying the "we" as good and honest, while the "others" are seen as threatening and deceptive.
Exploitation of "Victimhood" and National Pride
Elon Musk’s social media posts echo Seibt’s strategy by portraying migrants, the media, and the alleged "left-wing elite" as the true threats. This invocation of a "hostile world" and the staging of oneself as a "martyr" fighting against insurmountable odds is a tactic identified by Löwenthal and Gutermann as a characteristic of false prophets.
Similarly, Seibt has claimed to be the target of German media and to have moved to the United States for safety. However, it is more likely that her relocation is part of her professional networking efforts. She maintains close ties to American right-wing activist Brittany Sellner, whose husband, Martin Sellner, is a prominent far-right figure.
Rejection of Historical Guilt and Nationalism
Seibt and other right-wing influencers reject the concept of historical guilt for the crimes of Nazi Germany. They argue that Germany should instead focus on national pride and tradition, advocating a return to German roots to combat the perceived threat of cultural destruction by migrants. This rhetoric attempts to decouple nationalism from Nazi atrocities while reinforcing racist and conspiracy-laden narratives.
AfD’s Embrace of Similar Rhetoric
Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD, employs similar arguments, downplaying the party’s historical guilt and blaming migrants for the lack of knowledge about the Holocaust among young Germans. She dismisses concerns about the party’s nationalist aspirations as left-wing fabrications.
Conclusion
Seibt’s tactics and rhetoric align with the strategies of other right-wing influencers, such as Musk and Weidel, who exploit populist sentiment by portraying themselves as victims and offering simplistic solutions. By connecting with her audience emotionally and exploiting their fears, Seibt mobilizes support for right-wing ideologies and undermines democratic discourse. Her message resonates with those who feel alienated and disenfranchised, offering a sense of belonging and a scapegoat for societal problems.
