For the Democratic Party, a declining support rate among youth may be a major concern threatening Biden’s re-election. Some young Americans believe that Trump is the solution to economic difficulties. Biden’s age issue and his handling of the Gaza conflict have caused him to lose support from many young voters.
Isayah Turner, 23, with a slim figure and a youthful face, wearing earrings on both ears, doesn’t fit the stereotypical image of a Trump supporter, who are often seen as middle-aged or elderly. However, Turner recently drove two hours to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to attend a rally and listen to Trump’s speech.
Running a dog breeding business with his mother, Turner voted for Trump in 2020. He supports Trump’s stance on oil drilling, opposition to gun control (Turner himself owns multiple guns), and commitment to combatting illegal immigration.
“I can’t think of anything unsettling Trump did while in office. But since Biden took office, there have been countless things I disagree with,” Turner told Reuters. “Many of my friends share the same views as me.”
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll in March, among Americans aged 18 to 29, the percentage supporting Biden is only 3 points higher than those supporting Trump (29% to 26%), with the remaining respondents either undecided or supporting other candidates.
Last week, a Harvard Kennedy School poll showed that among Americans aged 18 to 29, Biden leads Trump by only 8% in support.
If Trump can continue to garner support from young people by the November presidential election, it will be a significant advancement. In 2020, Biden overwhelmingly secured support from young voters, leading Trump by 24 percentage points.
Biden’s age issue and his handling of international conflicts have caused him to lose support from many young voters. At the same time, his support among Latino voters is also declining.
There are indications that despite Biden canceling student debt, expanding affordable housing, and supporting abortion rights to attract young voters, American youth are gradually leaning towards the Republican Party.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, the percentage of Americans aged 18 to 29 identifying with the Republican Party has been steadily increasing, from 24% in 2016 to 26% in 2020, and has now risen to 28% this year.
On April 2, 3,000 Trump supporters braved the cold and rain outside the Green Bay Conference Center waiting for Trump. While the majority were middle-aged and elderly, there were also hundreds of young people present.
Twenty young people under 30 were interviewed by Reuters, with 15 citing economic issues like inflation as the reason for supporting Trump, and several expressing the importance of Trump’s immigration restriction plans.
Steve Wendt, 26, a security guard at a nearby hospital, said, “My salary is decent, but I can’t afford a house with my current pay. It’s time for someone who can lower prices to take office again.”
Meanwhile, most stated they support Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Collin Crego, 19, a history student, expressed that funds used for overseas issues would be better spent addressing domestic problems like drug addiction. “I’m not very fond of our approach to the Ukraine issue. When I hear him [Trump] speak, he is very patriotic and places America first, and I like that,” Crego said.
All agreed that the four criminal cases Trump faces will not affect their choice. Among them, one is Black, and the rest are White. Eight will be casting their first presidential vote this year.
Caitlyn Huenink, 20, shared that as a young Trump supporter, she faces social pressure, with many left-leaning young people dismissing her views. However, she noted a change among her peers at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, with more becoming Republicans.
Clearly, supporters willing to brave the snowstorm to attend Trump’s campaign rally do not represent the majority of American youth. Some polls still show that Biden continues to receive support from a majority of young voters. For example, a recent poll conducted by The Economist/YouGov last week indicated that 51% of voters under 30 choose Biden, with only 32% supporting Trump.
However, there is increasing evidence suggesting a shift in political leanings among young voters.
The latest poll from Marist College also shows Trump leading by 2 points among millennial and Gen Z voters, with 61% of voters aged 18 to 29 expressing disapproval of policies introduced during Biden’s term.
A campaign advisor told Reuters last month that the Trump campaign team believes young people could be the key to winning in 2024. He stated that economic and international conflicts are crucial topics to convey messages to this demographic.
Anna Kelly, spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said, “Like many Americans, young people struggle to afford rent, gasoline, or daily necessities, and with actual wages decreasing, they are struggling to buy a house.”