According to a recent YouGov poll, President-elect Donald Trump has seen a significant increase in popularity among young Americans.
According to a recent survey conducted from November 17 to 19, it has been revealed that there has been a significant shift in the favorability towards Trump among Americans aged 18 to 29. The survey indicates that 57 percent of individuals in this age group now hold a favorable view of Trump. This marks a notable increase of 19 points in net favorability since the previous YouGov poll conducted on November 9 and 12.
Among women and older voters, his favorability still lags behind. However, there has been a significant change in his popularity among the 18-29 age group, which made up 16 percent of the 2024 electorate, according to The Economist/YouGov. These findings are based on a poll of 1,590 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of ±2.5 percent.
“Young people played a pivotal role in President Trump’s victory. It is important to acknowledge that a significant and momentous generational shift is currently taking place,” emphasized Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, in a statement on X, previously known as Twitter..
Kirk, together with Trump’s youngest son, Barron, played a crucial role in rallying support for Trump among young voters. They focused on promoting generational change and specifically targeted a predominantly male audience.
Trump’s success in appealing to young voters can be attributed to his campaign’s deliberate efforts to engage with younger audiences through non-traditional media channels. The Trump campaign recognized the significance of platforms such as podcasts and alternative outlets, which allowed them to address topics like economic freedom, government accountability, and cultural identity, key concerns for this demographic.
During the presidential campaign, Trump made appearances on several podcasts and streaming shows. Some of these include Lex Fridman’s podcast, Theo Von’s show, Adin Ross’ and Logan Paul’s streams, Tim Pool’s podcast, and the Nelk Boys’ YouTube channel. Additionally, he took part in a podcast-style interview with Elon Musk on X before his three-hour appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which is the most popular podcast in the nation.
The campaign’s efforts had a strong impact on young men, who were a crucial target audience. Polling data revealed a notable difference between genders, with 58 percent of men having a favorable view of Trump compared to 45 percent of women.
Among all adults, Trump was viewed favorably by 51 percent of the population, while 46 percent had an unfavorable opinion of him. This resulted in a net favorability rating of +5 points. The younger demographic, specifically voters aged 18-29, displayed the highest level of support with a net favorability rating of +19 points. In comparison, the 30-44 and 45-64 age groups had a net favorability rating of +3 points. On the other hand, voters aged 65 and older gave Trump a net rating of -3 points, highlighting a clear generational divide in opinions.
Trump’s Cabinet nominations have received a boost in public perception, thereby contributing to his favorable numbers. Marco Rubio, who is being considered for the role of secretary of state, has a net approval rating of +19 points, with an overall approval rate of 46 percent. Tulsi Gabbard, the potential director of national intelligence, has seen a 9-point increase in her approval rating, which now stands at 42 percent. Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is being considered for secretary of Health and Human Services, has experienced a notable increase in his approval rating, now at 41 percent, representing a net increase of 9 points.
Vice President-elect JD Vance’s approval rating has shown signs of improvement, reaching a net rating of +2 percent with a 43 percent approval rate. This marks his highest approval rating to date and the first time it has surpassed his unfavorability.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are currently facing the challenge of declining approval ratings after their electoral defeat. The public’s dissatisfaction is evident as Biden’s job approval has plummeted to 37 percent, while 57 percent disapprove. Similarly, Harris has experienced a decline in favorability, with 46 percent of people viewing her favorably and 53 percent unfavorably, resulting in a net rating of -7 points.