Mackenzie Quick, PhD
smquick.bsky.social
Mackenzie Quick, PhD
@smquick.bsky.social
FL • Public Relations Professor • Political Communication & Social Media Researcher • Pop Culture Glutton & Ole Miss Football Fanatic • Opinions are my own
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
The new cover of TIME magazine has an illustration of Elon Musk sitting behind the Resolute Desk.
February 7, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A personal observation since deactivating Meta accounts — a lot of the time I spent on the apps was just an exercise in muscle memory and unconscious addiction. I’ve found myself mindlessly clicking the app just because I’ve finished doing whatever I initially picked my phone up for.
February 1, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
Reporters: Please stop calling things DEI that are not DEI. This is only cementing the propaganda being used to legitimize the dismantling of all types of initiatives that are not DEI as well as legitimize efforts to end civil rights enforcement. Be specific with your language. Be accurate.
January 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
Can’t say they didn’t warn us!
January 29, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
BREAKING: The White House rescinded President Trump's order to freeze all federal funding, including grants for public health, education, and safety.

This cruel order would have devastated communities across the country.
January 29, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
I probably don't even need to say this, BUT. Me not posting about every nightmarish thing is not because I am not internally (or externally!) screaming multiple times per day, i just figure you heard about it from 100 other people posting about each new nightmare. I assure you, my soul is cracking.
January 28, 2025 at 11:05 PM
It has been a… stressful day, to say the least. Here’s a picture of Cash’s first boarding “pupcation” this weekend to cleanse your timeline. He’s been exhausted for a solid 48 hours from playing so hard.
January 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
TikTok's recent in-app comms re: the "ban" provided great discussion in my PR Foundations class. But in referencing this opinion piece, most of my students came to opposing conclusions, citing feelings of confusion, betrayal & function as a political pawn. Thoughts? www.prweek.com/article/1903...
TikTok’s 84 words that proved the brand will captivate Americans for years to come
TikTok’s 84 words that proved the brand will captivate Americans for years to come. From PR Week
www.prweek.com
January 28, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
The Trump administration snuck fetal personhood into their anti-trans executive order
January 21, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
If you want to see the opposite of “obeying in advance,” here it is. Remarkable bravery by Reverend Budde.
Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde to Trump: "I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender people in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives ... and the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals"
January 21, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Mackenzie Quick, PhD
A few have asked why I don't think democracy will collapse right away. So another (much briefer) thread:
January 21, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Make no mistake — what has occurred re: TikTok is full-fledged propaganda . We will await the fate of this app, but trust has been broken for many users thanks to this political theatre. Nonetheless, it remains a powerful source for coalition-building and community.
npr.org NPR @npr.org · Jan 21
BREAKING NEWS: The order follows TikTok going dark for about 14 hours after the Supreme Court upheld a law prohibiting the service from operating in the U.S. unless it breaks away from its parent company in China.
Trump signs executive order to pause TikTok ban, provide immunity to tech firms
The order follows TikTok going dark for about 14 hours after the Supreme Court upheld a law prohibiting the service from operating in the U.S. unless it breaks away from its parent company in China.
www.npr.org
January 21, 2025 at 2:13 AM
The sudden infantilization of Elon Musk that I’ve observed in response to this instance is… something.
Elon Musk salutes

(Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty)
January 21, 2025 at 2:08 AM
It’s easy to feel defeated and apathetic in the current political climate. I’ve been trying to limit my own social media consumption, but it feels more important than ever to build community with others and continue the discourse that lends to a healthy democracy.
January 21, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Well, let’s try this social media thing again. Hi, Bluesky 👋 I’m Mackenzie. I’m an assistant professor of PR and a political PR + social media researcher. You can expect to see my commentary on (gestures broadly) this current moment in time, and how that relates back to my areas of expertise.
January 21, 2025 at 1:36 AM