A brief overview of what is currently trending in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Signal: The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief was accidentally included in a Signal group chat where Trump administration officials discussed sensitive military information.
#TheBachelor: Reality television fans are discussing the latest episode of the hit dating show.
23andMe: The DNA testing company has filed for bankruptcy.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
Morning Routine Guy
What It Is: Social media has been set ablaze in response to fitness influencer Ashton Hall’s incredibly elaborate (and baffling) morning routine. Featuring Saratoga Spring Water, bananas, and ice-cold face dunks, the routine has inspired a slew of memes and attempts by both brands and individuals to capitalize on the conversation quickly. Each step from 3:52 AM (iykyk) onward has been repeatedly analyzed under a microscope, and main star Saratoga Spring Water has seen its search queries skyrocket overnight due to people’s fascination with Hall’s morning approach. There are so many details to dissect, but the discourse—while astronomical in volume—is already winding down given the next social media phenomenon is bound to arrive any day now.
Brand Takeaway: While it seems like a polarizing daily routine drops every other month on social, this latest iteration underscores our collective rejection of unrealistic standards. Whether it’s waking up in the morning or making a snack, social users don’t just dislike being presented with impractical suggestions: they will actively troll them. Brands need to act accordingly and ensure their online presence offers genuine value to their core audience rather than self-serving or performative sentiments that warrant being clowned online. Also, brands—if you’re reading this, it’s likely too late to post a photo of your product next to ice water and a bunch of bananas.
Examples: 1, 2, 3
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
Doechii’s hit song ‘Anxiety’ has reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 📈
People are speculating that Sabrina Carpenter could be Fortnite’s next festival artist 🎤
Lorde was spotted leaving a play in NYC 👀
Garcelle Beauvais has announced her departure from ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ 💎
Want to subscribe? Reach out to culturetaskforce@substack.com.