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January 16, 2025

	By Adrian J. Rivera Editorial Assistant, Opinion

A key part of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign strategy was largely eschewing traditional media sitdowns in favor of interviews with popular podcast bros like Joe Rogan and Theo Von. Appearances like those netted him tens of millions of views and listens from younger men, members of a demographic that often doesn’t vote, but that ultimately turned out to be a key to Trump’s victory in November.

For our first focus group of 2025, we decided to speak with 12 male Trump voters who considered themselves dedicated listeners of the kinds of podcasts that appeal to millions of men across the country and often feature hourslong conversations. When we asked what made the podcasts a source they could trust, Jon, a business owner from Pennsylvania, said that “legacy media is so anti-intellectual that it drives me to long-form content. I want to get to really know how people got to their beliefs.” Ken, a teacher who voted for Trump despite being a registered Democrat, agreed: “It’s very difficult for a guest to keep a persona for that length of time. You’re going to let your guard down. You’re going to get asked questions where you might have to admit you’re wrong.”

In the full discussion, you can read more about how these men define a “man’s man” — Trump, by one participant’s definition, decidedly not Trump, by another’s — what they think is wrong with America today, why they think men are having trouble in society and their hopes for what Trump will do in office.

Read the focus group:

‘Where’s Our Place in Society?’: 12 Men Who Backed Trump Grapple With America The group discusses the news and podcasts that shape their opinions about America and the world, what being a man’s man means and what they do and don’t want Trump to do in office. By Patrick Healy, Adrian J. Rivera and Kristen Soltis Anderson

Here’s what we’re focusing on today:

Editors’ Picks

Guest Essay I Fought Big Wildfires in California. Trump Will Make the Problem Worse. Instead of addressing staffing shortages on the lands the federal government manages, Republicans have proposed making them worse. By Jordan Thomas

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