Since his first presidential campaign in 2016, former President Donald Trump has garnered support from various groups. This time, he is aiming to attract a new group of voters: young men.
Indications suggest that this demographic may support Trump in the 2024 election, posing a challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris, as it is shaping up to be a closely contested race.
As this shift becomes more apparent, both parties are trying to engage with this group.
On October 25th, Trump made a three-hour appearance on one of the most popular podcasts globally, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” known for its appeal to American youth, especially males. According to Media Monitors, 71% of the show’s audience are males with an average age of 24.
In past election cycles, Republican presidential candidates did not devote much time to courting young voters – those aged 30 and above traditionally supported the Republican Party, while younger voters leaned towards the liberal side.
For example, in 2020, President Joe Biden enjoyed significantly higher support among young voters compared to Trump. According to CNN’s national exit polls, Biden garnered 60% support among voters aged 18-29 and 52% among those aged 30-44.
However, these numbers overlook a more polarized environment among young voters: young women tend to lean towards the Democratic Party in voting, while young men historically have been more evenly split.
In this election, Trump could significantly increase his support among young voters, especially those aged 18 to 44, a trend largely driven by males shifting towards the Republican Party under Trump’s influence.
Mark Mitchell, head of the polling firm Rasmussen, told “Epoch Times” that over the three election cycles from 2016 to 2024, a general rightward shift among young voters can be observed.
In interviews with over twenty young people from various parts of the U.S. conducted by “Epoch Times,” the economy emerged as their top concern in the election. They also expressed worries about housing, tax rates, and inflation.
Some interviewees mentioned being drawn to Trump’s masculinity, an image that often has the opposite effect on young women. Others felt abandoned by the Democratic Party, believing that the party focuses too much on issues like abortion, which have a smaller impact on men; while some felt marginalized by left-wing ideology.
Mitchell stated that Rasmussen’s current polling shows Trump leading Harris among male voters aged 18 to 39, with 47% to 46%, while female voters in the same age group lean more towards Harris, with 48% to 44% lead over Trump.
A Sienna national poll conducted with The New York Times on October 23 revealed a slight increase in Republican support among young male voters, with polling institutions having previously overestimated Democratic support.
Their recent poll found that Democratic support among male voters in all age groups decreased by approximately 4 percentage points compared to 2020, while Trump’s support increased by around 2 percentage points.
The poll also showed a substantial rise in Trump’s support among young voters, with a 7% increase in support among voters aged 18-29 compared to 2020.
Political strategists and grassroots voters have also taken note of this trend: Republicans are seeking to capitalize on it, while Democrats are trying to reverse it.
Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia, noted that with the decline in support among young males, Democrats should address this issue this year.
He said, “This could be a big problem for them.” “They are banking on the support of young voters, and if they don’t get it, that’s a problem.”
When discussing with young male voters, one issue that was repeatedly brought up was the economy.
Young males are anxious about the future, worrying about housing, dismayed by food and oil prices, and concerned about the overall economic trajectory of the country. Many believe that the economic conditions noticeably improved during Trump’s presidency.
Eighteen-year-old Caleb Boyt told “Epoch Times” that Trump provided him with the best economic future.
He said, “As a young American, I feel Trump has provided me with the best opportunity, whether just starting in the workforce or enabling me to afford things and save more money.”
Experts told “Epoch Times” that economic issues are usually more pressing for males: despite significant societal changes since the 20th century, many males still feel responsible for being the primary economic support for their families, providing financial security for spouses and children.
The proportion of females attending college is significantly higher than males. Bullock pointed out that approximately 60% of incoming college students are female. With a significant loss of stable blue-collar job opportunities to cheaper labor markets overseas, males’ employment prospects have dimmed considerably.
Bullock said that the success previous generations of young males might have achieved – completing high school or even dropping out but still finding a decent paying job in a factory to support a family – is now much less likely.
In contrast, fewer young females interviewed by “Epoch Times” considered economics a primary issue, instead focusing on abortion or Trump’s personality.
Sarah Chamberlain, President and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a moderate Republican political organization, observed the trend among women.
She noted in her interview with “Epoch Times” that many young women hope to find a partner who can provide for the family, with males typically more willing to be the primary breadwinner.
Chamberlain said, “I think women have the bandwidth to care about other things.”
She pointed out that abortion and a candidate’s personality are more attractive and pressing issues for women.
Chamberlain noted that, by contrast, males often feel the responsibility to be the main provider for their wives and families, leading them to face increasing economic pressures from a young age.
This is in line with the observations by “Epoch Times”: young males, regardless of which candidate they support, consistently list economic issues as their primary concern, with hardly any exceptions. Some expressed that being able to provide for a family in the future is their utmost concern.
At a Trump rally in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Nazir Mbami, a Black voter who turned 18 before the election and planned to support Trump, told “Epoch Times” that border security and economic issues are his top concerns.
“We are losing jobs, people like me in a lower socioeconomic status are losing jobs because opportunities are being taken by people who shouldn’t be here,” he said, referring to the surge of illegal immigration under the current administration.
Mbami particularly mentioned the housing market, a major concern for Generation Z voters across the political spectrum and also voiced by interviewees with “Epoch Times.”
As interest rates and housing prices soar, a survey found that currently, only 18% of surveyed Generation Z individuals can afford to buy a home; 54% worry that they will never be able to own a house.
Mbami pointed out that he now needs a salary of over $100,000 to comfortably purchase a house. This data is supported by Zillow’s research, which discovered that buyers currently need an income of $106,000 to afford a house, $47,000 more than four years ago.
“This is not realistic, especially for newcomers to the workforce,” he said.
Other interviewees mentioned that tax rates, oil prices, and food costs are their current biggest economic challenges, with many even acknowledging that they believe Trump would handle economic issues better.
Apart from economic factors, young individuals interviewed by “Epoch Times” also cited other reasons for Trump’s strong appeal among young people.
Many mentioned Trump’s masculine image, citing his reaction when shot in the ear during an incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July this year. A prominent photo from the shooting incident shows Trump amidst Secret Service agents, raising his arm and calling out as blood streamed down his cheek.
This incident prompted support for Trump’s presidential campaign from figures like Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and the social media platform X. Since then, Musk, who is highly favored among young males, has been devoted to aiding Trump’s reelection.
Many young males have taken to social media, drawing parallels between Trump and former President Theodore Roosevelt on platforms like “Theodore Roosevelt.” President Roosevelt was highly popular among males for his robust, masculine image. Shortly after being shot in the chest, Roosevelt delivered a famous speech, narrowly escaping death.
Eighteen-year-old business student at Kennesaw State University, Liem Jurley, told “Epoch Times” that Trump’s personality holds great appeal for him.
When asked why he supports Trump, Jurley simply answered, “Because he’s cool.” He mentioned knowing that many others feel the same way.
“We’re bros, we all support Trump,” he said.
Luke Meadows, an eighteen-year-old accounting student at Waynesburg University, also mentioned Trump’s personality. Meadows said, “Trump might be more popular because he’s cooler to young people.”
Trump’s personality seems to have the opposite effect on women. Many young females interviewed by “Epoch Times” expressed that Trump’s personality is a major reason for their opposition to him.
Chamberlain noted, “The personality that attracts males (to support Trump) is driving females away.”
Others mentioned the influence of media and the internet, citing celebrities like Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson, and Joe Rogan, who have predominantly male audiences online. These influential figures are sometimes seen as being part of the “manosphere,” a term that at times carries a derogatory connotation, describing online spaces and voices that attract males.
Some also mentioned that males are increasingly opposing the “woke” stance of the American left.
Connor Alford, a political science professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, told “Epoch Times,” “I have indeed seen … young people feel increasingly alienated and attacked by the Democratic Party and the left, especially by Kamala Harris, but overall by the woke movement of the American left.”
Alford believes that with dim economic prospects, many males feel demonized by the left – higher suicide rates, riskier professions, and increased homelessness.
Republican strategist Brian Seitchik told “Epoch Times” that Democrats are “fixated on issues less important to males.”
“In a rampant inflation, open borders situation, the Democratic Party’s focus on abortion issues is shortsighted, negatively affecting their support among young male voters.”
Alex Cam, a 20-year-old student at Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania, who is yet to decide on which candidate to vote for also concurred. Cam said, “I think the impact of abortion on males is not as significant as it is for females.” He believes that the Democratic Party’s emphasis on this issue is not in their favor.
Seitchik stated that Trump’s winning strategy is to “shine a light on the absurdity of the Democratic Party’s wokeism.”
As these trends become apparent, Republicans are seeking to leverage this opportunity, while Democrats are attempting to counter the negative impact.
Since the Republican National Convention in July, Republican efforts to attract young males have been evident.
At the convention, renowned personalities like WWE professional wrestler Hulk Hogan delivered a speech endorsing Trump. On the last night of the convention, former President Trump was introduced by Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), another figure highly favored by males.
In the final weeks of his campaign, Trump has made frequent appearances on podcasts with predominantly male audiences, such as comedian Andrew Schulz’s “Flagrant” and comedian and podcast host Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend,” as well as appearing with former professional wrestler Mark Calaway (The Undertaker).
In the highly anticipated “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Trump spent over 30 minutes discussing golf, boxing, UFC, and other sports in a three-hour interview.
The Democratic Party has also taken note of this trend and is endeavoring to turn the tide.
California lawyer and Democrat Neama Rahmani pointed out that attracting males may have been a primary motivator behind Vice President Harris selecting Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, as her running mate. Walz, a former football coach, openly discusses his love for video games – a hobby mainly enjoyed by males – and prominently participated in hunting trips.
To attract males, Walz and New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez live-streamed a video of them playing “Madden NFL” on the popular streaming platform Twitch, a widely popular football series game preferred by male players.
Former President Obama has also attempted to address the declining support among young males for the Democratic Party. In controversial remarks, he accused young Black males of displaying low enthusiasm for Harris due to gender discrimination.
Obama said, “You guys just don’t like a woman as President, so you come up with a bunch of reasons.”
However, young males interviewed by “Epoch Times” expressed that Harris’ gender is not a disqualifying factor for them. Only two individuals indicated they are fundamentally opposed to a female President, with most emphasizing policy as the most important factor.
To attract males, the group “Vote Save America,” supporting Harris, released an ad where men wearing cowboy hats sit on the bed of a truck, showcasing their manliness: liking bourbon, medium rare steaks, donuts, and cars.
“I take challenges in stride,” one of the men remarks. Subsequently, these men assert that they are “man enough” to vote for Harris.
This ad has attracted significant ridicule online, with many questioning its authenticity.
Rahmani suggested that the Democratic Party should focus on endorsements and events with celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Eminem to appeal to males, as they recently engaged in campaigning with Harris.
Rahmani criticized Harris campaigning with current music sensation Lizzo, stating that Lizzo is unlikely to attract many new voters for the Democratic Party, especially not young males.
While these signs indicate concern over the level of Democrats’ popularity among young males, the impact on Election Day remains to be seen.