### Young Men Swing Sharply Towards Trump in 2024 Election

For many years, Pat Verhaeghe doubted Donald Trump’s leadership capabilities. However, recent exposure to Trump's campaign speeches, public appearances at sporting events, and his collaborations with celebrities like golfer Bryson DeChambeau have changed Verhaeghe’s perspective. "I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn't be a good president," said the 18-year-old first-time voter. "I think he's a great guy now."

Verhaeghe's shift in opinion is reflective of a broader trend among young men in the United States. Despite much of the electorate moving right in varying degrees in the 2024 elections, young men stood out for their pronounced swing towards Trump. AP VoteCast, a survey involving over 120,000 voters, found that more than half of men under 30 supported the former president. This is a significant shift from four years ago when a similar share of this demographic backed Democrat Joe Biden.

Among white men under 30, Trump's support was particularly strong, with approximately 6 in 10 voting for him. Young Latino men were split between Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, while most Black men under 30 supported Harris, but about one-third still backed Trump. Notably, young Latino men's favorable views of the Democratic Party dropped from about 60% in 2020 to 40% this year. Meanwhile, young Black men's perceptions of the party remained relatively stable, with about 66% holding favorable views.

Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group aimed at engaging young Hispanic voters, suggested that many young men were seeking leaders who recognize their potential rather than just their struggles. Struve noted that events such as the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania helped shape a favorable image of him among these voters.

Trump successfully reached young audiences by leveraging nontraditional platforms like podcasts and various digital media outlets. Appearances on shows like Joe Rogan’s podcast and YouTube channels played a significant role in bolstering his image. Trump's involvement in DeChambeau's "Break 50" golf challenge further expanded his reach to younger voters accustomed to digital content.

The data also reveals that not only did Trump increase his support, but the overall identification with the Republican Party rose among young men in 2024. William He, founder of Dream For America, expressed concern over the marked rightward shift in American politics. He highlighted Trump’s appeal through his strong rhetoric and culturally macho campaign messaging, which resonated with many young men who felt marginalized by the current economic and political landscape.

The Harris campaign made efforts to tailor policy agendas to Black and Latino men and initially generated enthusiasm among young voters through pop culture engagements. Yet, according to Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, the campaign's messaging was convoluted and failed to reach many young voters effectively. Mayer argued that what was needed was a straightforward and bold economic vision to capture the younger electorate's interest.

In contrast, Trump continued to engage with pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games, and alongside celebrities from various entertainment sectors. Strategists for Trump believed his ability to draw attention and create viral moments was far more effective in engaging young voters than traditional media or paid advertisements.