The Price of Power: Media Madness and the Scrutiny of Political Spouses

The dynamic is further intensified by the politician's use of the family as a campaign tool. In almost every modern election cycle, candidates proactively introduce their spouses, children, and even extended relatives on stage, in advertisements, and on social media platforms. They are strategically positioned to create a relatable, "family man" or "woman" persona, appealing to voters' sentimental and moral sensibilities. By intentionally foregrounding the family to win votes, the politician effectively transforms those relatives into public figures, making their behavior and past a legitimate subject for public discourse and media investigation.