Tailgating in Wisconsin With the Bros Trump Needs

In Madison, Wisconsin, ahead of a University of Wisconsin football game, New York Times reporter Astead Herndon and colleague Anna explore the gender divide in political leanings among young voters. They observe a growing trend of young men gravitating towards conservative ideals, particularly drawn to Donald Trump's brand of masculinity, which some see as a stand against perceived threats to traditional masculinity. Conversely, young women increasingly lean liberal, motivated by issues like reproductive rights and gender equality. The discussions reveal how these political dynamics affect personal relationships and cultural perceptions, with Trump's polarizing persona influencing voter sentiment.

• The podcast begins with a description of a tailgating event in Madison, Wisconsin, highlighting the game of beer die, a popular college pastime.
• The setting is a Saturday afternoon before a football game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and Penn State, providing a backdrop for discussing political sentiments among young voters.

"It was a Saturday afternoon hours before the University of Wisconsin Badgers took on the Penn State Nittany Lions for their homecoming football game and we were at a tailgate watching our first game of beer die."

• The tailgating scene is used as an entry point to explore political discussions among young people, emphasizing the informal yet politically charged atmosphere.

• A significant theme is the growing gender gap in political preferences among young voters, with young men leaning more towards conservative views and young women towards liberal views.
• Recent surveys indicate young women heavily favoring Kamala Harris, while young men show a preference for Donald Trump.

"Recent National surveys from The New York Times and Sienna College young women backed KLA Harris by 42 percentage points and young men favored Donald Trump by 12 points."

• The podcast explores how this gender divide is influencing campaign strategies, with figures like Trump making explicit appeals to men.

• The influence of upbringing on political affiliation is discussed, with young men citing a conservative upbringing as a factor in their political leanings.
• Trump is perceived by some young men as embodying a business mindset and a form of masculinity that resonates with them.

"Probably upbringing... we grew up in small town so just a different aspect... I feel like Trump has like more like the business mindset I feel like what you need to like run a country."

• The perception of Trump as a "real person" is contrasted with views of the Democratic party as more scripted and less relatable.

• The issue of abortion emerges as a significant factor driving the gender divide, with young women becoming more politically engaged and leaning liberal post-Roe v. Wade.
• Some young men express a reluctance to engage with the issue, seeing it as primarily affecting women.

"I'm a devout Christian so I'm pro-life but... I don't feel like I should have a choice on it... I don't know that would be a main reason for me to switch votes over abortion."

• The divide over abortion is seen as contributing to broader political polarization between genders.

• The gender divide in political views is noted to affect personal relationships, with some young men experiencing tension with more liberal partners.
• Political discussions are often avoided in mixed-gender groups to prevent conflict.

"My girlfriend is very much more liberal than I am and she's like very big on like the uh like abortion being one of her policies that she's voting on and I'm not voting on that and she's that heavily upsets her."

• The podcast highlights how political differences can create divisions within social circles, particularly in college settings.

• The role of media and influencers in shaping political views is explored, with young men often turning to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for news.
• Influencers and podcasts play a significant role in disseminating political messages to young audiences.

"I get everything off X... is there someone you listen to the most... like Charlie ke like Charl..."

• The reliance on social media and specific personalities underscores the fragmented media landscape and its impact on political beliefs.

• The speaker mentions key figures they listen to, highlighting their influence on their perspectives.
• Joe Rogan is noted for his occasional political discussions, indicating the speaker's varied media diet.

"Kirk and like the KN boards are probably like two of like the top people I actually listen to. I know like they're probably like the best sources also like um Joe Rogan I listen to him a lot."

• The speaker values diverse opinions and sources, indicating a broad range of influences on their views.

• The speaker expresses skepticism towards politicians, emphasizing a focus on policy over personal character.
• They plan to vote but feel disillusioned by both major political parties.

"I think that both I think that you got to separate the politics from the people cuz I don't I think all politicians are scumbags is at the point I'm at in my life and I just support some of the like economic with Trump more than I support support the com."

• The speaker's decision to vote is driven by policy preferences rather than personal admiration for candidates.

• The discussion highlights a perceived cultural attack on traditional masculinity, influencing political leanings.
• Trump is admired by some for his perceived strength and willingness to stand up for his beliefs.

"Several young men said they admired that Trump is unafraid to stand up for his beliefs even if they are Politically Incorrect."

• The admiration for Trump's assertiveness reflects a broader cultural conversation about masculinity and political identity.

• The speaker notes a trend of young men gravitating towards conservative figures due to perceived attacks on masculinity.
• Influencers like Andrew Tate and Charlie Kirk are mentioned as appealing to young men feeling their masculinity is under threat.

"There's recently been a big wave of conservatism among young men... they think you see these people pushing out agendas that you know your manhood is under attack."

• The speaker suggests that the defense of traditional masculinity is a significant factor in the political alignment of young men.

• The speaker discusses voting as a means to protect the rights of women in their life, showing empathy and concern for issues beyond personal impact.
• Reproductive rights are highlighted as a critical issue influencing their voting decision.

"A lot of it has to do with the women in my life. I feel really strong about their rights and I don't want those taken away from them."

• The speaker's voting decision is framed as an act of solidarity and advocacy for women's rights.

• Trump is critiqued for not embodying traditional masculine traits, despite being perceived as a masculine figure by some.
• The speaker questions the authenticity of Trump's masculinity based on his lifestyle and background.

"I don't see him as particularly masculine... he's that rich New York upper class like he doesn't get his hands dirty."

• The speaker challenges the notion of Trump's masculinity, suggesting it does not align with traditional or working-class ideals.

• The discussion begins with the perception of masculinity, particularly a brand associated with provoking women. This is seen as immature and not representative of true masculinity.
• The conversation highlights a disconnect between some men's perception of masculinity and societal expectations.
• There is a critique of a form of masculinity that is about upsetting women, seen as immature and originating from childhood behaviors.

"I think his brand of masculinity is more like make your mom and your sister upset when you're in Middle School."

• The quote illustrates the perceived immaturity in certain masculine behaviors that are more about provocation than genuine masculinity.

• Participants identify as Democrats or lean towards Democratic voting, with motivations driven by opposition to Trump and support for issues like abortion rights.
• Voting decisions are influenced by personal values, social issues, and the tone of political campaigns.
• There is a mention of voting being based on "vibes," indicating that emotional and social cues play a significant role.

"I don't like Trump... I feel like it has to stay... I feel like it'll just be better."

• This quote reflects a participant's opposition to Trump, driven by social issues and a desire for stability in certain rights.

• Social media's role in shaping political views, especially among young men, is discussed. Platforms like Twitter can inadvertently expose users to extremist or controversial content.
• The conversation points out the dangers of unregulated content online, which can lead to exposure to harmful ideologies.

"There's this anti-circumcision thread that we both got, and it naturally turned into anti-Semitism."

• This quote highlights how seemingly unrelated topics on social media can lead to exposure to extremist views, illustrating the dangers of unregulated content.

• Trump is seen as appealing to young men by presenting himself as a victim and speaking without a filter, which some find refreshing.
• The conversation suggests that Trump’s rhetoric resonates with those who feel marginalized or overlooked.

"I think everyone wants to feel like a victim, and he really is like the oh the white man's plight."

• This quote explains how Trump's messaging might appeal to individuals who perceive themselves as victims, reinforcing a sense of shared struggle.

• There is a discussion about whether voting for a female candidate affects perceptions of masculinity among young men.
• Participants largely dismiss the idea that gender should influence voting decisions, emphasizing that leadership qualities are not gender-specific.

"Gender doesn't matter in the presidency; it's not like I'm voting for an athlete or something where it actually does matter."

• This quote underscores the belief that leadership should not be judged based on gender, but rather on capability and policies.

• A young man expresses the belief that traditional male roles in blue-collar jobs contribute to a perception that men are more suited to leadership roles.
• There is a sentiment that masculinity and manhood are under attack, with a lack of attention to men's feelings and perspectives.

"Men run this country Blue Collar wise... a man's always been there to build skyscrapers."

• This quote reflects a traditional view of gender roles, associating masculinity with physical labor and leadership.

• A young woman emphasizes the importance of gender rights and reproductive rights in her voting decision, expressing disapproval of Trump's treatment of people.
• The conversation highlights that social issues and Trump's previous presidency influence voting behavior.

"I think just the I would say like like gender rights like women's rights to like make decisions about their own bodies for sure."

• This quote shows the prioritization of women's rights and social justice issues in the decision-making process for voters opposing Trump.

• The election is historic for its potential to elect the first female president, a significant shift since 2016.
• The presence of a female vice president has helped demonstrate women's capability in leadership roles.
• The idea of redemption from the 2016 election loss is a motivating factor for some voters.

"Having a female vice president has kind of proven to people in the country like, 'Hey, like heck yeah, women can do this too.'"

• This quote highlights the impact of having a female vice president as a role model for women's leadership.

"It's kind of like almost like a little bit of redemption from the last time when there was a male versus a female and the female lost."

• The speaker expresses a sense of redemption and historical significance in potentially electing a female president.

• Gender identity plays a significant role in voter preferences, though it is not the top priority for all voters.
• Some voters are more engaged in the election due to the presence of a younger, female candidate.
• The gender of a candidate can be exciting but is often secondary to policy and leadership qualities.

"I think I would have voted for realistically whoever the Democratic candidate was either way because I didn't want Trump, but it's exciting, it's awesome."

• The speaker acknowledges the excitement of a female candidate while emphasizing policy over gender.

• There is a perceived growing gender gap, with young men becoming more conservative and young women more liberal.
• The overturning of Roe v. Wade has heightened awareness and importance of women's rights in political decisions.
• Gender alignment in political views is increasingly important in personal relationships.

"Especially after the Roe v. Wade getting overturned, like it's such a, it matters. Like the abortion rates matter, like women's rights matter."

• The quote underscores the pivotal role of women's rights in shaping political priorities post-Roe v. Wade.

• Discussions around masculinity and figures like Andrew Tate and Elon Musk are prevalent among some young men.
• For some voters, masculinity does not influence their voting decisions, focusing instead on policy issues.
• The 2016 election and Trump's perceived misogyny remain critical factors for some voters, particularly women.

"The biggest eye-opening thing for me at that time was that people knew he was a sexual assaulter and they didn't care."

• This quote reflects the emotional impact and ongoing significance of Trump's behavior on voter decisions, especially concerning gender issues.

• Politics influences cultural norms, relationships, and perceptions of identity.
• The gender gap in voting reflects broader cultural and societal shifts.
• Political support can be tied to identity and cultural values, affecting interpersonal dynamics.

"When we talk about the gender gap in this election, we're talking about more than just the candidate strategy to win but the ways that politics shapes our culture."

• The quote emphasizes the broader cultural implications of the gender gap in politics beyond electoral strategies.