Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
If Kamala Harris loses the election to Donald Trump, the finger-pointing will inevitably land on disaffected young men. As troubling as it is, there’s a distinct fear surrounding this demographic: in the political landscape, angry young men represent a potent and unpredictable force.
Liberal commentators have been scratching their heads over recent polling that indicates young men, particularly those aged eighteen to twenty-nine, are abandoning the Democratic Party. The narratives often suggest a moral failing or misguided influences—an approach that feels both dismissive and alarmist. It’s reminiscent of concerned parents discovering unsavory materials in their children’s rooms and assuming a greater dysfunction at play. Instead of viewing young men as rational voters with legitimate grievances, these narratives imply they must have been misled or coerced.
This election cycle has seen various groups, including Muslim and Arab American voters, Black men, and now young men, scrutinized for their wavering support. Yet if Harris falters, it’s likely that young men will bear the brunt of the blame, simply because they are seen as the key to the future—a future that feels increasingly precarious.
Recent analyses highlight a troubling trend. According to polling by John Della Volpe from the Harvard Kennedy School, the proportion of young men identifying as Democrats has dropped by seven percentage points since spring 2020, while Republican identification has grown by the same margin. Della Volpe attributes this shift to feelings of loneliness, economic uncertainty, and the allure of Trump’s brand of masculinity—exemplified by endorsements from figures like Dana White and Dave Portnoy, who resonate with young men searching for identity and purpose.
In contrast to these findings, polling data is notably inconsistent. Some reports suggest a Republican advantage of 26 points among young men, while others indicate a 17-point advantage for Democrats. These discrepancies indicate that young voters are complex and can’t be easily pigeonholed. Rather than rush to judgment, perhaps it’s prudent to recognize that these voters are responding to genuine concerns and not merely succumbing to “disinformation.”
The Democratic Party has struggled to connect with these disenchanted young men. They’ve largely focused on issues like healthcare and social safety nets—important but not resonant enough given the current political climate. The messaging around “saving democracy” has not been compelling for many, especially when it seems divorced from their immediate realities. The recent critiques from Barack Obama toward Black men for their lack of enthusiasm for Harris only further illustrate how the party risks alienating potential supporters by failing to address their concerns adequately.
For young men, the sense of disenfranchisement may lead them to gravitate toward anti-establishment rhetoric, which Republicans currently monopolize. They are drawn to the promise of being heard, even if it comes from figures who often prioritize sensationalism over substantive policy. During the Bernie Sanders campaign, many found a political home that acknowledged their frustrations and offered a vision of change. However, the dismantling of this populist infrastructure has left a void.
As we approach the 2024 election, the challenge for Democrats is clear: how do they reclaim the support of these young men? The answer is not simple. They need to recognize that simply courting influencers or adopting trendy social media tactics won’t suffice. Genuine engagement on the issues that matter—jobs, healthcare, education—must replace the current narrative of fear and blame.
If the Democratic Party fails to address these concerns and continue to alienate this group, they may very well find themselves on the losing end of the electoral spectrum. As we’ve seen, angry young men are a force to be reckoned with, and ignoring their voices could have significant consequences for the future of American politics.
