Barron Trump’s guidance on media strategy played a pivotal role in President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, especially in reaching younger male voters. At 18, Barron recommended that his father shift focus from traditional news outlets to podcasts, which he argued were more popular among young people looking for entertainment and news.
As a college freshman, Barron told his father that his generation isn’t watching networks like CNN or Fox News. Instead, young voters prefer platforms like The Joe Rogan Experience and Impaulsive with Logan Paul, where Trump ultimately made appearances. These podcasts gave Trump a platform to reach Gen Z men, many of whom were first-time voters.
"Did Barron Trump win the election? Double-digit gains in young voters prove Trump's flurry of podcast appearances paid off" – Blaze Media #SmartNews https://t.co/QE9pfIOj4R
— BJ Rodrigue (@rodrigue_bj) November 7, 2024
One of the campaign’s first podcast moves was an interview with Logan Paul in June, which reached millions and showcased Trump’s appeal to young men. Recognizing Barron’s insight, Trump reportedly began asking his staff to check with Barron before making media appearances, ensuring his appearances would have maximum impact.
The election has shown that the future of political campaigning might increasingly lean on influencers, podcasters, and digital media strategists like Barron Trump, rather than solely on traditional media and ground campaigns. #Election2024 #TrumpVictory pic.twitter.com/RJw3t6OaxQ
— Burning Box (@BurningBox04) November 7, 2024
In August, Trump joined Twitch streamer Adin Ross, another influencer with a strong Gen Z following. During the live stream, Trump acknowledged Barron’s role, saying his son had introduced him to Ross. Barron’s influence shaped Trump’s media presence throughout the campaign, guiding him to outlets with vast young male audiences.
On Election Day, Trump’s strategy paid off. Nearly half of men under 30 voted for him—a significant improvement from 2020, where young voters largely leaned Democratic. Additionally, Trump gained a historic percentage of Latino male votes, with over half supporting him. Young Black men also showed increased support, marking a significant shift from previous elections.
"Barron Trump is a very bright 18-year-old who played a big part in his father’s stunning victory". – Nigel Farage MP Leader of Reform UK. MP for Clacton. 🇬🇧
At Mar-A-Lago, waiting for the results of the Presidential Election. pic.twitter.com/QytjXKuhGk
— CR 🌷 (@CarmenInUSA) November 7, 2024
Barron’s focus on podcast outreach helped his father reach new voter segments and contributed to a winning strategy that appealed directly to young male voters. By embracing unconventional media channels, Trump’s campaign broke new ground, and Barron’s role as a media advisor proved instrumental in this election’s outcome.
