Donald Trump made major inroads with young people in 2024, with 47% of voters under 30 casting their ballot for him.
But, recent polls show his approval rating with Gen Z has fallen by 42 points since the beginning of his second term.
Such stats reflect the unpredictability of Republicanism among Gen Zers.
The Post talked with six young, self-identifying conservatives about what they really believe, what they make of the President and what matters most to them. (Spoiler, they’re not all Nick Fuentes fans and it’s the economy, stupid.)
Have a look.
Azlan Butt: ‘Republicans face a leadership vacuum without Trump’
The 18-year-old high school senior from Dallas, Texas, has family in Iran, so he’s especially grateful to President Trump for speaking out in defense of protesters against the regime.
“It shows exactly why America has a great foreign policy [right now],” Butt, who hopes to be a doctor, told The Post.
While he thinks Trump is doing well on the economy, Azlan takes exception to his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and attempts to roll back environmental protections.
“These regulations were aimed at addressing climate change and pollution, which is directly determining my future, and the future of countless other Americans,” he said.
He looks forward to voting for the first time in 2028 but worries the Grand Old Party may be in disarray by then. “Republicans are facing a leadership vacuum once Trump leaves the stage,” he said.
Grace Moore: ‘Young people can’t even imagine owning a home’
Affordability is key for the 28-year-old who works in administration.
After several years in Los Angeles, she recently moved back home to live with her parents in Houston.
“My parents probably got this house when they were in their early 40s,” she said. “Young people 1769034687 can’t even imagine owning a home.”
Personal safety is also important to her, after dealing with “violent protesters” and “homeless people who sometimes become violent” in LA.
“I just [didn’t] feel comfortable leaving my apartment by myself at night,” said Moore, who voted for Trump in the past three elections.
Daniel Idfresne: ‘There’s too much Republican infighting’
In May, the 21-year-old will graduate from Syracuse University with a degree in political science, and he’s facing an uncertain job market.
“It’s very disheartening,” the Brooklyn native told The Post. “Like, how is AI going to affect our jobs? Immigration is part of that as well.”
He voted for Trump in 2024, and thinks Republicans need to capitalize on the present moment and their current momentum —instead of in-fighting over tariffs and Israel.
“There was a cultural shift in 2024 … everyone was tired of woke,” he said. “But the fight isn’t over.”
Christina Ma: ‘I’m shying away from party labels’
The Barnard College sophomore isn’t “the biggest fan of Trump as a person” but voted for him in 2024 believing him to be an effective politician who could address immigration and promote family values.
The 20-year-old, who lives in Connecticut, is happy with the President’s performance so far but has also been questioning the Republican party of late.
“I’m shying away from labels,” she told The Post.
Ma has been turned off by an emerging groupthink on the right, especially among fans of Nick Fuentes and Candace Owens.
“I used to think the liberals were the ones who were sheep, but … it’s the conservatives too,” she said. “It’s not a partisan issue, it’s just a social media issue, a young person issue.”
Kevin Alexander: ‘Neither party is addressing affordability’
“Gen Z is either one of the two extremes,” said Alexander, who lives in Southwestern Florida and is working on a book about the history of the Cold War. “They’re either going extremely right, or extremely left.”
He added, “It’s a very dangerous thing.”
The cost of living is also an important issue for him.
“Neither party is addressing affordability,” the 28-year-old said. “There are still people who can’t afford food, can’t afford basic necessities for life.”
Daniel Di Martino: ‘I saw firsthand how socialism destroys an economy’
After growing up in Venezuela, the 27-year-old is a strong believer in capitalism, free enterprise and American exceptionalism.
“I saw firsthand how socialist economic policies really destroyed our lives,” said Di Martino, who now lives in New York City and works as an immigration policy analyst.
While he believes Republicans are winning on cultural issues — including gun rights, abortion, and tax policy — he believes they’ve sold out his generation by succumbing to endless spending.
“At the federal level,” he said, “I think that everybody has relinquished their responsibility towards future generations and has not done anything to reign in spending.”
In the Right
Young conservatives share their habits and viewpoints.
Where do you get your news and commentary from?
Azlan: The Washington Post and the New York Post
Grace: Daily Wire, Fox News, Ruthless Podcast
Daniel I.: The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today — not conservative podcasters. “I think they’re trying to one-up each other with the takes that they’re giving,” he said.
Christina: “Unbiased Politics” podcast with Jordan Berman, Fox News and Newsmax “with a grain of salt,” and CNN for balance.
Kevin: “Unbiased Politics,” CNN, Fox, and MSNBC — but without faith in the accuracy of their reporting.
Daniel D.: X influencers, The Wall Street Journal podcast, Daily Wire, The New York Post
Who would you like to see run in 2028?
Azlan: JD Vance
Grace: JD Vance — or another Millennial. “[Right now in Washington], there’s just a bunch of old people who are not going to be around much longer, or who are so out of touch and have all this money,” she said.
Daniel I.: JD Vance
Christina: JD Vance
Kevin: Ron DeSantis
Daniel D.: Marco Rubio
How about a wildcard ’28 pick?
Azlan: Donald Trump Jr.
Grace: John Fetterman
Daniel I.: Ron DeSantis
Christina: “I don’t have a dream ideal person. I don’t really love anyone in politics right now.”
Kevin: H. R. McMaster
Daniel D.: Doug Ducey or Glenn Youngkin
Is Donald Trump a true conservative?
Azlan: “Yeah, definitely.”
Grace: “I almost want to say no, because he’s such a crazy big spender… He’s almost just his own political party in himself, isn’t he?”
Daniel I.: Yes, “he’s just a different type of conservative. He’s a populist.”
Christina: “I don’t think so, but I don’t think that really matters … we need someone with power, with a platform, with a following, and he gives us that.”
Kevin: “Absolutely not… He can be conservative if he’s pushed in the right direction, if he’s listening to the right people, but … he doesn’t have a set of values. [It’s] whatever sounds good to him in the moment and will get him adulation.”
Daniel D.: “I would consider him to be a vehicle that advances conservative priorities, but I’m not sure if he personally even considers himself conservative.”
What is the Republican Party getting right?
Azlan: Foreign policy in Iran.
Grace: Making the country feel safer.
Daniel I.: Winning back the culture and using common sense.
Christina: Promoting family values.
Kevin: Foreign policy, mostly thanks to Marco Rubio.
Daniel D.: Cultural issues, like gun rights, against abortion and school choice. “At the state level, Republicans are rocking it.”
What is the Republican Party getting wrong?
Azlan: Failing to anticipate a leadership vacuum post-Trump
Grace: Too many egos, not enough unity of message
Daniel I.: Too much infighting
Christina: Too much infighting. “After Charlie Kirk’s assassination, you really started to see the divide in the Republican Party … We’re so desperate for a role model again … that we are putting certain people on pedestals, and we’re not really questioning what they’re saying.”
Kevin: Reactionary thinking and thoughtless rhetoric.
Daniel D.: Overspending at the expense of future generations.
Read the full article here
