Podcast Summary: The Daily Beast Podcast

Episode: Why Young MAGA Men Are Turning on Trump: Pollster
Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: John Della Volpe, Director, Institute of Politics at Harvard

Episode Overview

This episode examines why young male supporters who once helped elect Donald Trump are now feeling increasingly alienated and negative about his presidency. Pollster John Della Volpe provides deep insight into shifting attitudes among young men, drawing on focus groups and recent polling. The discussion covers the collapse of institutional trust, the changing nature of youth political engagement, and what both Republicans and Democrats misunderstand about this critical demographic.

Key Discussion Points

1. Shift in Young Men’s Attitudes Toward Trump

• Dramatic Change in Approval:
  • Initial Support: In January, 55% of young men said Trump was having a positive impact on their lives—a “plus 33” net positive (12:36–14:24).
  • Recent Numbers: By late September, this fell to 31% positive, with 43% saying negative—a shift to minus 12 net (-45 points) (13:58–14:24).
  • Quote:

    “I can't think of a worse number for him right now.”
    – John Della Volpe (17:55)

• Main Reasons for the Decline:
  • Everyday costs are higher; economic promises unfulfilled.
  • Perceived distractions (e.g., East Wing demolition) instead of action on jobs/economy (14:55–16:32).
  • General sense of betrayal—Trump promised young men they could be providers, which isn’t happening.

2. Institutional Disdain and Community Seeking

• Desire for Community:
  • Young men crave spaces for real connection, not just ideological echo chambers (04:30–07:04).
  • Past importance of places like churches, mosques, and clubs—now weakened, though there’s a Millennial and Gen Z resurgence in faith-based community (09:28–11:56).
• Political Movements vs. Real Community:
  • Bernie Sanders and AOC have created “movements,” but these are still fundamentally political. Charlie Kirk (Turning Point USA) succeeded by building community first, politics second (07:12–08:57).

3. The Fallout From Charlie Kirk’s Assassination & Leadership Changes

• Turning Point USA under Erica Kirk:
  • Open question whether new (female) leadership can replicate Charlie Kirk’s charisma and influence (03:32–07:04).
  • Not necessarily about identity—men have also followed older leaders like Bernie Sanders, and some men support female leaders like AOC.

4. Core Disappointments with Political Parties

• Both Parties Viewed as Corrupt/Oligarchic:
  • Focus group metaphor: if parties were people, both would wear “NASCAR jackets” with corporate sponsors (23:27).
    • Quote:

      “If the parties were people… they’d be wearing one of those NASCAR type, you know, sweaters... representing all the people who own a piece of you.”
      – John Della Volpe (23:27)

  • Democrats seen as the "HR department”—polite, inoffensive, but in the end serving “the man,” and making people nervous about being reprimanded (21:49–22:49).
• Charismatic Leadership Still Resonates:
  • Young men respond to perceived fearlessness and authenticity (Sanders, Trump, Mamdani) over committee-driven, safe politicking (25:13–25:49).

5. Anti-Establishment & Cross-Ideological Voting Patterns

• Many young men and women voted for Trump as a protest against the system but now feel disillusioned.
• Not switching directly to Democrats—instead, looking for “anti-establishment” options, even mixing Sanders/Trump/Mamdani votes (24:48–25:13).

6. The Role of Social Media & Tech Mistrust

• Young men are acutely aware of the damaging impact of social media; TikTok’s Chinese ownership doesn’t come up, but forced exposure to extreme content is a major complaint (29:40–31:23).
• Craving for government regulation, but do not trust either party to deliver—see both as in Big Tech’s pocket.

7. Unique Concerns: Epstein Files and Transparency

• For a subset of young men, anti-establishment sentiment includes calls for transparency—like demand for “the Epstein files” as proof the system isn’t rigged (01:28, 25:49).
• Quote:

  “Are you going to release the Epstein files? Literally, that is what he said.”
  – John Della Volpe (01:28, 25:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shifting Trump approval among young men:

  “That’s a 45 point shift. Okay. In nine months.”
  – John Della Volpe (14:24)

• On party stereotypes:

  "Democrat is the HR department. They act like they really care about you, but they actually work for the man."
  – Focus group participant, recounted by John Della Volpe (21:49)

• On young people’s media literacy:

  “They’re deeply concerned… Younger men, younger people want far more government oversight here… But again, they believe it’s those corporate patches that Democrats, Republicans are wearing.”
  – John Della Volpe (29:40–31:23)

• On the core divide in America:

  “The biggest divide in this country today… is the divide between people who feel heard versus people who feel unheard.”
  – John Della Volpe (32:52)

Important Timestamps

• 01:09 — Why Epstein comes up with young men in focus groups
• 03:32 — Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA, and the shift post-assassination
• 09:28 — Decline & return of religion/community among young people
• 12:36–14:24 — Poll numbers: sharp Trump approval decline since inauguration
• 17:55 — “Worst number” for Trump among young men
• 21:49–23:27 — Party stereotypes: “HR department” and “NASCAR jackets”
• 25:49 — Epstein files & demand for transparency
• 29:40–31:23 — Social media: awareness, frustration, distrust
• 32:52 — Main division in America: those who feel heard vs. unheard

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

• Young men’s support for Trump has cratered—primarily due to unmet economic expectations and perceptions of inaction.
• Both parties are viewed cynically; neither is seen as representing young people’s interests, and “anti-establishment” attitudes are growing.
• Craving for community: Young men—left and right—want real connection, not just online activism or political movements.
• Charisma trumps ideology: Authentic, fearless leadership still holds power as institutions falter. Cross-ideological voting is up.
• Media frustration: Young people are deeply aware of social media pitfalls and want protections—yet distrust the parties to provide them.
• Democrats shouldn’t assume disenchantment with Trump means votes for them; the void could be filled by new anti-establishment figures.
• Key lesson: Whoever listens to and genuinely hears young people—beyond politics-as-usual—will hold the advantage.

For further insight, John Della Volpe’s new Harvard poll results will be out after Thanksgiving, and he advocates for more qualitative, in-depth listening—beyond the horse-race numbers.

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