4 Ways Trump's presidency will change marketing

Trump's presidency will reshape the marketing landscape.

Whether you like it or not.

What do you expect with a man whose political shifts are more like cultural earthquakes?

Love him or hate him, Trump's policies, media presence, and the sheer polarisation surrounding him have already reshaped how brands operate.

And if you think marketing exists in some apolitical vacuum, well, it’s time to wake up and smell the consumer sentiment.

His second term could very well upend the marketing and social media landscape we know and (kind of) love.

So, let’s get prepared, shall we?

Trump's presidency has already set off major shake ups. Just look at the Section 230 debate, platform bans (and un-bans) and the rise of alternative networks like Truth Social.

1. It’s become clear that the major tech players (who need not be named) are pivoting to accommodate the new president.

Whether it’s reinstating banned accounts, loosening content moderation, or turning a blind eye to controversial political advertising, these tech giants seem to be aligning themselves with the new administration.

The implications?

The president effectively has free rein over the largest platforms in the world. This gives him the ability to shape the media narrative to an unprecedented degree.

So we can expect increased visibility for Trump-aligned content. We could well see a digital landscape where opposing voices may struggle to gain traction.

What to do: 

Brands need to reassess their platform strategies. If Trump-aligned content is amplified, will your brand’s messaging get lost in the shuffle? Or, worse, will it get dragged into political firestorms?

Pay attention to shifts in platform policies and be ready to pivot if needed. And, as always, authenticity wins—don’t force a stance you can’t back up.

2. The great brand boycott era?

We’ve already seen how politically charged consumer sentiment has become—remember #GrabYourWallet?

With Trump back in office, expect more boycotts, callouts, and brands getting caught in the crossfire of political outrage.

Brands in the firing line? Ones that showing support (or not) for specific causes, or that simply carry products that a vocal group deems controversial. One thing's for sure--consumer activism is here to stay.

What to do: 

Decide your stance now. Playing neutral won’t save you. Brands that successfully navigate this environment are the ones that align their values with their audience.

And they'll need to stand by them without backtracking at the first sign of backlash.

3. The wild west of data privacy and ad targeting?

Under the Biden administration, we saw moves toward tighter data privacy regulations. These included potential bans on microtargeting in political ads and expanded consumer data protections.

Trump’s administration, on the other hand, was far more relaxed about Big Tech’s use of personal data. Now that he’s back, we could see a rollback of these restrictions.

This could make targeted advertising easier. But it could also make brands more vulnerable to consumer scepticism around data use.

What to do: 

Even if regulations loosen, don’t get lazy with data ethics. Consumers are more aware than ever of how their data is being used. And creepy ad tracking won’t fly.

Invest in first-party data strategies and transparent privacy policies to build long-term trust.

4. Trade wars, inflation and the e-commerce squeeze.

Trump’s trade policies mean new tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating inflation rates. And all of these have the potential to hit e-commerce brands hard.

If your brand relies on international suppliers, now’s the time to think about how pricing, inventory, and sourcing might be affected.

What to do: 

Don’t get caught off guard. Build flexibility into your supply chain strategy. Consider diversifying suppliers to avoid getting squeezed by tariff changes.

The bottom line? Adapt or get left behind.

Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, Trump’s presidency will shake up marketing as we know it.

Brands that stay agile, pay attention to shifting consumer sentiment, and avoid tone-deaf marketing moves will come out ahead.

Those that ignore these shifts? Well, good luck to ya.

-Sophie, Writer