How Donald Trump embraced the ‘manosphere’ for votes
Oct 22, 2024
28:43
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Sam Wolfson, a Senior features writer for The Guardian U.S., dives into Donald Trump's clever strategy to woo young men through unconventional media. He discusses how Trump has aligned with influencers like Logan Paul to tap into the so-called 'bro vote.' The conversation highlights the widening political rift between young men and women, exploring cultural influences on this trend. Wolfson also touches on the rise of resentment among young men and how figures like Andrew Tate fuel this shift, reshaping political identities as the election approaches.
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Quick takeaways
Donald Trump has significantly shifted young men's political preferences, capturing 58% support amidst a stark gender gap in voting.
The Republican Party's strategy includes leveraging hyper-masculine imagery and popular culture figures to engage young male voters effectively.
Deep dives
Shifting Political Alignments Among Young Men
A significant shift has occurred in the political preferences of young men, particularly in the United States, where polls show a growing support for Donald Trump compared to previous elections. Historically, young voters have leaned Democratic, but recent trends indicate that many young men are now leaning more towards right-wing politics. Data reveals that Trump leads Kamala Harris among young men with 58% compared to her 37%, while the reverse is true for young women, highlighting a stark gender gap. This realignment began approximately six years ago and is reflective of similar trends seen globally, suggesting a broader shift in male political ideology amidst changing social dynamics.
Republican Strategies Targeting Young Male Voters
The Republican Party has been actively courting young male voters by employing a range of strategies designed to resonate with their interests and cultural engagement. This includes adopting a hyper-masculine image and utilizing popular figures from non-political spaces, such as YouTubers and influencers, to engage a younger audience. Initiatives like the Nelk Boys' $20 million voter registration drive exemplify how the party is transforming entertainment into political action. By making politics feel fun and accessible, the Republicans aim to attract this demographic, positioning themselves as an alternative to the traditional political discourse.
Cultural and Economic Resentment Among Young Men
Young men are increasingly embracing a narrative of resentment, which the Republican Party has effectively capitalized on to gain political traction. This sentiment stems from perceived economic disadvantages and societal changes that they believe favor women, coupled with a reaction to movements like Me Too, which have framed masculinity in a negative light. Though there are genuine economic disparities affecting young men, narratives attributing their struggles solely to feminist movements are misleading and oversimplify the complex socio-economic factors at play. Such sentiments have created fertile ground for politicians to exploit, as they frame themselves as champions for the rights of young men who feel left behind.
In the last few months, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has appeared on shows with huge audiences of young men. He’s been doing interviews with people like influencer Logan Paul, comedian Theo Von, video game streamer Adin Ross…all people outside the usual political media, and all with millions of followers.
These appearances are just part of a deluge of efforts to court Gen Z men, in what some have called the bro or frat vote in the upcoming U.S election.
Polls show that an enormous gulf has opened up between young men and women this election season - with young men way more likely to support Donald Trump.
The Guardian U.S.’ senior features writer Sam Wolfson on why and how young men have shifted to Trump, and how this shift to the right is part of a global trend.