Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have dedicated much of their recent campaigning to winning the Gen Z vote. They’ve engaged in podcasts and shows specifically targeted at younger voters to connect with them.

The candidates’ emphasis on Generation Z, those born from 1997 to 2012, is not surprising. This group is politically active and shows a strong intent to vote. However, this focus implies that Trump and Harris chose not to broaden their appeal across party lines, instead opting to energize their existing young supporters.

Most voters have already made up their minds, and Gen Z is no exception. Instead of swaying hesitant voters, candidates are realizing they should focus on boosting their loyal followers’ turnout.

We will soon see if my generation turns out to vote and whether Republicans effectively engaged with young voters.

As Election Day Approaches, Trump and Harris Cater to Their Supporters

As Gen Z transitions into a larger role in the electorate, Republicans face significant challenges. This younger generation predominantly supports Democrats, and the GOP’s narrow focus on appealing to young white males won’t be enough for future elections.

The differences in each candidate’s approach underline this partisan divide. While their strategies may echo each other, they select different audiences for their outreach.

Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance are targeting young conservative men by appearing on popular podcasts like Joe Rogan’s and Theo Von’s shows.

In contrast, Harris has chosen to engage with young women by guest-starring on “Call Her Daddy,” a popular podcast, and making appearances on “Saturday Night Live.” Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz has even turned to streaming video games on Twitch to connect.

This is also why Trump isn’t likely to join “‘Call Her Daddy,” nor is Harris eager to engage with Rogan. These platforms could lead to contentious interviews and would target audiences who may not be open to their messages.

Trump and Vance have capitalized on this strategy even further by appearing on multiple podcasts that cater to a predominantly male audience.

Both candidates have concluded that persuading voters at this late stage is futile; the focus now shifts to whether Gen Z will actually turn out to vote. Since 2020, an additional 8 million voters from Gen Z have joined the electorate, and while they largely lean Democratic, significant gender differences in party appeal remain.

The GOP Faces a Youth Vote Crisis: Gen Z Is Crucial

Trump and Vance are concentrating on economic issues, which are a top concern for Gen Z and the only area where they maintain a favorable stance compared to their opponents.

Harris and Walz are directing their attention toward issues like abortion rights and gun violence, which resonate strongly with younger voters.

Nevertheless, the GOP’s long-term survival cannot rest solely on appealing to the small fraction of Gen Z that is aligned with their ideology. As the older conservative Americans fade from the electorate, they will increasingly be succeeded by younger, more liberal voters, complicating Republican prospects.

While it’s widely thought that individuals may become more conservative with age—a notion that holds some truth—Gen Z remains an anomaly as a generation that overwhelmingly favors one party.

Ideally, I would prefer both parties to engage with my generation for genuine persuasion rather than simply seeking to reinforce existing loyalties. Nonetheless, it’s especially crucial for the GOP to actively pursue the votes of Gen Z members who may still be undecided.

The Republican Party needs to shift leftward if they hope to succeed in the future.

As the Gen Z voting demographic expands swiftly, they are set to become a significant force in future elections. The GOP faces a critical challenge as more young voters enter the electorate, and they must explore methods to influence opinions instead of merely catering to their existing supporters.