Democrats Have A Problem With Young Men

Democrats are increasingly turned to sports radio shows and podcasts as a strategic move to reconnect with young men, a demographic that has shown a noticeable shift toward President Donald Trump in recent elections. 

This pivot, detailed in a New York Times article reflects the party's response to its perceived loss of ground among apolitical or disengaged young male voters following Trump’s 2024 victory.

The effort involves prominent Democratic figures appearing on platforms traditionally outside the political sphere, leveraging the casual, conversational nature of sports media to reach audiences who may not tune into conventional news outlets.

For instance, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro served as an analyst for a University of Pittsburgh basketball broadcast in February 2025, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been vocal about his disdain for the Green Bay Packers on sports talk shows. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed frustration over Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s MVP snub, tapping into local sports fervor. These appearances aim to humanize politicians and meet voters where they are—on platforms they already trust and enjoy.

The strategy stems from a recognition that Trump’s campaign effectively used similar channels, including podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience and This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, to appeal to young men, particularly white and working-class voters, during the 2024 cycle. Edison Research data highlights the appeal of these shows: Theo Von ranks No. 5 among men aged 18-34, and Lex Fridman is popular among white men. Democrats are now mirroring this approach, with figures like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appearing on The Ringer podcast to discuss NCAA conference realignment alongside policy issues like infrastructure.

The shift also reflects broader concerns within the party about losing touch with working-class and non-college-educated voters—groups that include many young men—who were once a Democratic stronghold. NPR’s The NPR Politics Podcast on December 3, 2024, noted the party’s soul-searching after losing the White House and Senate, with analysts like Mara Liasson pointing to Trump’s gains across nearly every voting group, especially young men of color and Hispanic men. Sports media offers a way to bypass the polarized traditional media landscape, where distrust among younger audiences is high, and engage them on neutral turf.