On Tuesday, Kim Kardashian shared a post introducing her “new friend” — a Tesla bot.

Kardashian’s video featured the robot waving, dancing, and making heart shapes with her hands. However, not all her followers viewed this as simple fun; some interpreted it as a sign of her political leanings, suggesting she voted for president-elect Donald Trump, who has selected Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk to help manage the upcoming “Department of Government Efficiency.”

One commenter noted, “Kardashian and her ridiculous robot is all I need to know about her vote for Trump.” Another added, “Women supporting Kim? Which matters more, your womanhood or Skims? Let her know! We all know who she voted for.”

The Tesla bot phenomenon isn’t the first to take on political significance recently. After the election, some white women started wearing blue friendship bracelets to indicate their support for Vice President Kamala Harris, which others, particularly Black and Latina women, criticized as performative allyship, urging those women to hold their politically conservative friends accountable.

This trend highlights how some individuals feel compelled to identify the political beliefs of those around them in an increasingly divided post-election environment. Jessa Lingel, a communication associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, points out that the response to Kardashian’s Tesla posts illustrates this phenomenon.

As Lingel explains, people are eager to discover who among them holds differing viewpoints. “This can lead to heightened scrutiny, as seen in Kim Kardashian’s case,” she notes.

Melvin Williams, an associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, argues that while individuals may politicize content like Kardashian’s video, the election results are already determined, suggesting that this focus might be misplaced.

“It’s apparent that (Trump) was more popular than ever in this race, and that had nothing to do with Kim Kardashian,” he states.

Is Kim Kardashian’s Tesla Video Political? Opinions Vary.

Kardashian previously collaborated with Trump on prison reform during his first term, leading to widespread speculation about her political choice in the 2024 election following the Tesla bot post.

Nonetheless, Williams suggests her support for the Tesla bot could stem from commercial interests rather than political ones. “People will undoubtedly politicize this, but I believe for Kim Kardashian, this is more about gaining financial power and social influence,” he explains. “Who’s to say this wasn’t merely a paid product promotion?”

Yet, influencers often understand the implications of sharing potentially political content, according to Jess Rauchberg, an assistant professor of communication technologies at Seton Hall University.

“These creators know how to attract attention and will do anything to maximize it because more views equate to more earnings,” Rauchberg previously shared with YSL News. “But everything we do carries political ramifications.”

Why Are People Seeking Out Political Signs?

During uncertain times, it’s natural for people to search for patterns and indicators, Lingel remarks. “Every community has its way of establishing codes that transmit information and signify belonging, like secret handshakes among Freemasons or hanky codes within the LGBTQ community.”

According to Dr. Shairi Turner, the chief health officer of Crisis Text Line, anxiety and stress can manifest in various forms.

“(Anxiety is) a typical reaction to what we know will be polarizing times,” Turner previously stated to YSL News. “Prepare for difficult conversations. If you’d rather not engage, set clear boundaries about when and where to discuss politics.”

However, engaging in meaningful dialogues with loved ones is distinct from becoming overly invested in celebrity opinions, Williams asserts.

Lingel cautions, “We look for clues in the daily communications of politicians and celebrities who are connected to them.” But “the risk is that this urge to find signals can also fuel conspiracy communities.”

As for Kardashian, she appears unfazed by the online discussions regarding her political beliefs.

On Wednesday, she posted a playful photoshoot with her Tesla bot, holding hands, captioned simply with an alien emoji.