The Aaron Parnas You Don’t See on Camera
What’s It Like Being Friends With A Media Powerhouse?
At first, I thought he was annoying.
That’s the earliest memory I have of Aaron Parnas. I’d followed him on social media during the early 2020s and brushed him off as just another Gen Z content creator trying to make politics a brand. I didn’t think much of it.
We didn’t meet until my 21st birthday. I had reserved a table at Farmers & Distillers in D.C. to celebrate with close friends. Aaron was invited by Sam Schmir, a longtime friend and former White House digital staffer.
The dinner was lighthearted. Aaron sat across from me as I sipped rosé and laughed about the 6AM flight I had the next morning, fully aware I’d regret it. When the check came, I reached for my card—I never expected someone else to cover me. But Aaron, who I’d just met for the first time, insisted on paying. “The birthday girl shouldn’t buy her own dinner,” he said. It was a small gesture, but one that stuck with me.
Later, we headed to a bar in Chinatown to meet more young politicos. Aaron tagged along. I remember thinking, He’s actually kind of fun to be around.
Apparently, the feeling wasn’t mutual—at least not right away. Aaron would later admit he thought I was annoying and loud. But for whatever reason, he still answered my calls, still accepted my invites, and kept showing up.
Back then, Aaron already had a sizable following and a solid legal career. But he wasn’t yet Aaron Parnas—the powerhouse we know today. I remember when he was considering quitting his job in law. It was a serious decision for him, one he didn’t take lightly. I told him he should do it. That he should bet on himself. And I’m so glad he did.
Since then, I’ve watched him evolve into something extraordinary. A media trailblazer. A generational voice. One of the most influential political communicators on social media—period. I don’t say this lightly: Aaron Parnas is one of the first true broadcast journalists of our generation. His reach spans tens of millions daily, and his presence isn’t just popular—it’s foundational. He’s helped shape the modern political media landscape, and I truly believe history will remember him as a pioneer in this space.
But what people don’t always see is the kind of person Aaron is.
They don’t see the friend who chased me down the streets of Chicago at 1AM during a panic attack.
They don’t see the one who helped coordinate sending me flowers during a hard time, or who spent hours on the phone helping me navigate a family legal crisis.
They don’t see the quiet loyalty, the relentless compassion, the unwavering support behind the scenes.
Being friends with Aaron is a unique blessing—and it comes with its quirks. You learn to expect him to duck out mid-dinner to film a breaking news update. You get used to him scrolling his phone, replying to comments from followers who trust him to keep them informed. And you recognize the look he gets during a FaceTime call—the one that means a headline just dropped, and it’s time to hang up so he can do what he does best.
Aaron is the kind of friend you’re lucky to have once in a lifetime. Fiercely loyal. Calm in chaos. Brutally honest when you need it most. He navigates politics and personal conflict alike with the strategic clarity of a legal mind and the grace of someone wise beyond his years. He’s a natural mediator. The adult in the room. The one you want by your side.
And he’s been by mine.
When I spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2024, he was there—standing right behind me.
When I met President Biden in the Roosevelt Room and posed for photos by the Resolute Desk, Aaron was right beside me.
When I made the leap into full-time Substack writing and independent content creation, he was the one saying, “You can do this. You’re Olivia Julianna. You’ve got this.”
Aaron Parnas is already a historic figure—and he’s just getting started. I don’t know where he’ll be in ten years, but I know it’ll be somewhere extraordinary. I just hope I’m lucky enough to still call him my friend when he gets there.
Consider reading a feature recently published about him in Rolling Stone. There are a few quotes from yours truly.
BONUS CONTENT: Here is a silly video of us from the 2024 DNC
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Your writing is so beautiful and honest and full of grace. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve been following Aaron for months now and I’m a paid subscriber and I find him to be extraordinary as well. Clearly you are, too. Law of attraction is real :-) thank you again! Kieren.
That’s it, I’m becoming a paid subscriber to you, too. 🩷