Josh Gottheimer fakes playlist to promote Bruce Springsteen in campaign

In December 2024, Josh Gottheimer, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate from New Jersey, found himself in the spotlight after admitting to creating a fake Spotify Wrapped playlist that featured songs exclusively by Bruce Springsteen. This occurrence arose when Gottheimer shared what seemingly appeared to be his most-listened-to songs for the year on social media platform X. As the annual Spotify Wrapped playlists typically highlight users’ favorite tracks of the year, which are shared widely by various users including politicians and celebrities, Gottheimer’s list raised eyebrows due to its suspiciously curated content. The top five songs displayed on Gottheimer's playlist were all iconic Springsteen hits, including "Thunder Road" and "The Rising." Bruce Springsteen, a legendary figure in the music world and a cultural icon in New Jersey, has an immense following, particularly in his home state. Following the publication of the playlist, several media outlets, including New Jersey Monitor and NJ.com, scrutinized the authenticity of the screenshot. They pointed out notable discrepancies within the font and spacing that differed from what users typically see on organic Spotify Wrapped playlists. Under scrutiny, Gottheimer confessed that the screenshot he posted had indeed been manufactured, attempting to emphasize his fandom for Springsteen in a humorous light. He characterized the post as a playful gesture aligned with the holiday spirit and stated that it was merely a joke to question his affection for the artist. In his defense, Gottheimer mentioned sharing his Spotify account with his teenage children, suggesting that the curated songs wouldn’t typically reflect his actual listening habits. This incident reflects a broader narrative surrounding political figures and their attempts to connect with constituents through popular culture. Gottheimer's comments about music and his playful tone were an effort to engage with voters while keeping the focus on significant issues like taxes and costs of living. He also humorously mentioned his dog named Rosalita, further attempting to reinforce his ties to Springsteen's legacy. However, mixed responses to his actions may also illustrate the pitfalls political candidates face when trying to craft their images to resonate with voters amidst an era of intense scrutiny, especially in the digital space.