TBD | The Manosphere That Delivered Trump Back to Power
Nov 15, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Makena Kelly, a senior writer at Wired, delves into the fascinating intersection of technology and politics. She analyzes how Donald Trump's strategies, including engagement with the 'manosphere' and influential podcasters, shifted voter dynamics. Kelly highlights the hyper-masculinity that resonates with young male voters and contrasts Trump's grassroots tactics with Democrats' traditional approaches. The conversation reveals the evolving influence of social media in political campaigns and the challenges of modern political communication.
Donald Trump's media strategy effectively engaged a younger, predominantly male audience through informal platforms like podcasts, contrasting with Kamala Harris's cautious traditional media approach.
The 'manosphere' empowers young men feeling marginalized by societal changes, aligning their frustrations with political sentiments expressed by figures like Trump, challenging conventional narratives surrounding masculinity.
Deep dives
Trump's Engagement with Influencers
Donald Trump strategically engaged with media influencers during the election campaign to connect with a younger, predominantly male audience. By bypassing traditional media outlets, he focused on platforms popular among this demographic, such as podcasts hosted by Joe Rogan and fellow influencers like Theo Vaughn and Aiden Ross. This approach was calculated to attract those who typically don’t vote, capitalizing on their interests in sports and entertainment. The campaign recognized the importance of reaching these individuals, concluding that the casual, conversational format of podcasts allowed for a more genuine connection than conventional media interviews.
The Manosphere's Influence on Young Men
The podcast delves into the concept of the 'manosphere', a digital space characterized by hyper-masculinity and populated by figures such as Andrew Tate, whose content resonates with young men feeling marginalized by societal changes. This community often affirms feelings of inadequacy among these individuals, particularly as women increasingly attain higher educational and financial standings. By discussing themes of protection and traditional values, these influencers provide an outlet for young men to channel their frustrations, which in turn, aligns with political sentiments expressed by figures like Trump. The growing influence of these attitudes presents a challenge for traditional narratives surrounding masculinity and voter engagement.
Democratic Campaign Challenges
The Democratic campaign faced significant challenges in effectively utilizing influencers to connect with voters, particularly during Kamala Harris's candidacy. While the Biden campaign initially leaned on influencer partnerships, they failed to establish a clear narrative that resonated with young voters. A perceived over-reliance on data analytics detracted from presenting a relatable candidate image, ultimately overshadowing Harris's personality and potential appeal. Unlike Trump, who embraced a more direct and less controlled interaction with influencers, the Democrats sought a professional approach, which may have resulted in a disconnect with the target audience's expectations and preferences.
Going on Joe Rogan’s podcast didn’t fit into Kamala Harris’s last month of campaigning, which consisted of a careful diet of traditional media and specifically selected appearances. It came up short against Donald Trump’s “get on mic with that guy and his big following” strategy.
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