Abstract
This study explores how transnational social media communication – particularly via social media shapes Latinx Americans’ political attitudes toward U.S. democracy. Using 2023 national survey data, it finds that frequent engagement with people or media in Latin America correlates with lower trust in democratic norms, greater acceptance of authoritarianism, and higher tolerance for political violence. These relationships are moderated by both nativity and gender: The effects are stronger among immigrants than U.S.-born respondents and among men compared to women and non-binary individuals. The findings suggest that exposure to heritage-country narratives through transnational networks can erode confidence in U.S. democratic governance, depending on individuals’ embeddedness in these information environments. The study highlights how cross-border digital media flows shape democratic attitudes within diaspora communities and offers recommendations for policymakers, civic organizations, and media platforms to strengthen democratic engagement and resilience in transnational contexts.