In contemporary political communication, authenticity has become a
buzzword, politician using social media impression management and discourse
representations for being as authentic, genuine, and real. But what does it mean
to be authentic, particularly an authentic politician? In this paper we study
impression management by Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je on Instagram post to explore
what the notion of ‘authenticity’ stands for social media studies. In particular,
we draw attention around authenticity on social media, and how discussion of
politician through socially mediated processes or ‘Pseudo-backstage’ representation
to construct ordinariness, predictability, spontaneity and imperfection. We argued
that a politician through the construction of ‘Trust me, I’m authentic’’ to gain
democratic recognition and engagement with public audiences.