Conspirituality Podcast: Bonus Sample Episode Summary Episode Title: How Did Gen X Go MAGA
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker

Introduction

In the bonus episode titled "How Did Gen X Go MAGA," host Derek Barris delves into the intriguing political shift of Generation X towards supporting Donald Trump. The discussion explores voting patterns from recent presidential elections, underlying factors contributing to this trend, and personal reflections on the generational transformation.

Voting Trends of Generation X

Derek Barris opens the episode by presenting compelling data on the voting behavior of Gen X across three consecutive presidential elections:

• 2016 Presidential Election:
  "In the 2016 presidential election, Gen X cast 35.7 million votes, which was the highest turnout for our age demographic up to that point." ([00:03])

• 2020 Presidential Election:
  "In 2020, it was 36 million votes." ([00:03])

• 2024 Presidential Election:
  "Estimates say up to 44 million of us voted." ([00:03])

Barris highlights a notable shift towards conservatism within Gen X:

• 2016:
  "49% of Gen X voters leaned Democratic compared to 55% of millennials." ([00:03])

• 2020:
  Despite Joe Biden's victory, Gen X edged further right, voting for Trump by a "1 point margin." ([00:03])

• 2024:
  Gen X favored Trump by a significant "6 to 9 point margin," establishing them as his strongest generational base. Meanwhile, Millennials and Boomers exhibited less dramatic shifts, with Boomers trending slightly more Democratic. ([00:03])

Potential Explanations for the Shift

1. Financial Insecurity

Media reports suggest that financial insecurity among Gen X is a driving factor:

• "Some reporting on Gen Xers found that we feel financially insecure and that was the reason for this shift. Data do back this up, given that we're unlikely to earn more than our parents did." ([00:03])

However, Barris questions whether this alone explains the gravitation towards Trump:

• "But in my opinion, it doesn't really explain my generation's turn towards Trump. A man who is not going to help out anyone who's not a billionaire or has the Trump name." ([00:03])

2. Trump's Appeal to Gen X Sensibilities

Barris explores how Trump's persona resonates with Gen X:

• "Trump's brash style, his irreverence, his use of irony, appealed to Gen X sensibilities. His controversial statements were apparently less off-putting compared to other generations." ([00:03])

He adds a personal anecdote to illustrate this connection:

• "I grew up in Jersey in the 80s. We all knew that Trump was a hack, especially after what he did to Atlantic City. There's a certain type of person that you quickly knew not to trust, and Trump embodies that person perfectly." ([00:03])

3. Cynicism and the Latchkey Generation Upbringing

Barris considers the impact of Gen X's upbringing on their political leanings:

• "We are the latchkey generation. That is true. I started walking to school by myself... Parents just sent me off and I walked home." ([00:03])

He reflects on how this independence may correlate with a preference for Trump's individualistic and self-reliant image:

• "I get this impulse to assign our independent upbringings with Trump's selfish policies and his ego, but I don't think that's it either." ([00:03])

4. Cultural Influences: Music and Movies

The hosts discuss how Gen X's cultural backdrop shapes their worldview:

• Movies:
  "In the 80s, we had the good guy always win John Cusack hero's Journey ethos... how ill-prepared that made me for reality because of that sort of good guy is always going to win mentality." ([00:03])

• Music:
  "The music, of course, was all about the rage... The most common comparison that you'll see in media is that Gen X once raged against the machine and now they put Trump in power." ([00:03])

Barris shares a personal connection with influential bands:

• "Rage against the Machine was extremely influential in 1993. I got to hang out with Tom Morello when I was a freshman in college just for an evening... Thankfully he is definitely still the anti Trump." ([00:03])

Personal Reflections by Derek Barris

Throughout the episode, Barris intertwines data with personal experiences to provide a nuanced perspective:

• "I also recognize how power and money are so seductive. So it makes sense that he'd have lackeys around, just not as many as I thought he would." ([00:03])

• "Unlike a number of my childhood heroes, John Cusack is a prolific anti MAGA voice on social media. So that makes me happy." ([00:03])

Barris emphasizes the diversity within Gen X, challenging the notion of a monolithic generational shift:

• "I understand the idea that the entire generation was raging, but as we're going to get into it didn't represent all of my peers. And that's really important to point out." ([00:03])

Conclusion

In "How Did Gen X Go MAGA," Derek Barris and the Conspirituality team dissect the complex factors contributing to Generation X's political realignment towards Donald Trump. By analyzing voting data, economic concerns, cultural influences, and personal narratives, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of this generational shift. The discussion underscores that while financial insecurity and cultural sensibilities play significant roles, the motivations are multifaceted and deeply personal.

Note: This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements and promotional content, adhering to the podcast's focus on substantive discussions.