Post, Remix, Repeat: Affordances and Populist Tactics in AfD TikTok Networks (Volmer 7422032)

Abstract

This thesis explores how AfD supporters use TikTok to circulate far-right narratives ahead of the 2025 Bundestag elections. I show how a decentralized network of mostly anonymous users takes advantage of TikTok’s features—like remixing, hashtags, and emotional edits—to reframe political content in ways that resonate with younger audiences. Using digital methods and a mixed-methods approach, I analyze how these users co-create meaning through symbolic visuals, platform-native aesthetics, and affective strategies. Rather than relying on traditional disinformation, the content often spreads through subtle cues and emotional appeal. My findings highlight how participatory practices and platform design shape political communication—and why moderation efforts need to look beyond hashtags and official accounts.