President Joe Biden lauded content creators as the future of the way we communicate while urging them to consider the weight of their influence and the obligations that come with it while stopping by a conference at the White House on Wednesday. 

What You Need To Know

  • President Joe Biden lauded content creators as the future of the way we communicate while urging them to consider the weight of their influence and the obligations that come with it while stopping by a conference at the White House on Wednesday 
  • The creator economy conference – which White House Press Secretary told reporters was the first of its kind – saw about 100 digital creators and those involved in the industry gather at the Eisenhower Executive Office building 
  • Biden's remarks, which were full of jokes, also took on a more serious tone when he noted that he believes the way in which we treat each other in politics has “never been this bad"
  • Research from Goldman Sachs puts the value of the creator economy at $250 billion and estimates that the number could grow to $480 billion by 2027 

The creator economy conference – which White House Press Secretary told reporters was the first of its kind – saw about 100 digital creators and those involved in the industry gather at the Eisenhower Executive Office building. 

“The innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in this room is what makes America America,” Biden said. 

The 81-year-old president started his remarks before the group noting that his grandchildren don’t read the same newspapers or watch the same TV as he does.  

“They listen to all of you, they listen to all of you,” he said, adding that they are the “source of their news.” 

“And there are more people who want to go into your business than any other these days,” Biden said before quipping: “You think -- when I retire, where do you think I’m going? I got contacts, man.”

The president, who was full of jests during his appearance in front of digital creators, later joked that he invited them to the White House because he was “looking for a job,” an apparent nod to his decision to drop his bid for reelection last month. 

But his remarks also took on a more serious tone when he noted that he believes political discourse has “never been this bad.” 

“And it’s literally getting incredibly difficult to count the number of lies people hear, they don’t know what to believe, they don’t know what to count on,” he said. “But you break through, you break through in ways that I think are going to change the entire dynamic of the way in which we communicate.”

“I hope you all thought about the consequence of what you're undertaking, what it means,” Biden later said. 

The Biden administration has leaned into engaging with those in the digital content space with Jean-Pierre telling reporters that officials hosted a State of the Union watch event for them at the White House and as well as a holiday party last year. 

Research from Goldman Sachs puts the value of the creator economy at $250 billion and estimates that the number could grow to $480 billion by 2027. 

“I’d like to talk to you about borrowing some money from you all,” Biden said to laughter on Wednesday after citing the $250 billion figure.