Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made strategic moves into popular podcasts, with an eye on the younger voter demographics of Gen Z and millennials.
Key to this strategy has been his youngest son, Barron Trump, who has been instrumental in selecting which digital platforms would host the former president, New York Post reported.
Barron Trump, now an 18-year-old student at New York University, has unexpectedly become a pivotal figure in his father’s digital campaign strategy for the 2024 presidential election. He has influenced Donald Trump’s presence on platforms that resonate forcefully with younger audiences. Renowned for his recommendations, Barron has directed the former president toward podcasts that have seen significant viewership numbers. These choices reflect a nuanced understanding of modern media consumption among young voters.
Jason Miller, a former advisor, praises Barron’s role in the media strategy:
Barron has been very involved in recommending a number of the podcasts that we should do. Every single recommendation he’s had has turned out to be absolute ratings gold that’s broke the internet.
Donald Trump has appeared on several high-visibility podcasts which include conversations with figures like podcasters Adin Ross, Theo Von, Andrew Schulz, and Patrick Bet-David. He was also a guest on Logan Paul's "Impaulsive" podcast and has recorded for "The Joe Rogan Experience."
For instance, his discussion on "This Past Weekend with Theo Von" about cocaine attracted 14 million views, while his appearance on the "Flagrant" podcast with Andrew Schulz gathered 6.2 million views, highlighting the viral nature of these engagements.
Moreover, in comparison, current Vice President Kamala Harris’ own podcast outings, including interviews on "The Shade Room" and "Call Her Daddy," have drawn much lesser attention with viewerships of 144,000 and 675,000 respectively.
The younger Trump's advice has not only proven successful in reach but has also positioned Donald Trump’s campaign narratives directly in the digital spaces frequented by younger demographics. By selecting podcasts popular among Gen Z and millennial males, the campaign accesses a traditionally elusive voter segment for many traditional politicians.
Social media users have even suggested that Donald Trump should extend his digital campaign to female-oriented podcasts, hinting at a potential expansion of this strategy.
Donald Trump acknowledged Barron’s impact on his decision-making:
He’s a little on the tall side. I will tell you, he’s a tall one, but he is a good-looking guy. And he’s really been a great student. And he does like politics. It’s sort of funny," Trump said. "He’ll tell me sometimes, 'Dad, this is what you have to do.'
Beyond his forays into the podcast world, Donald Trump's public appearances, such as an impromptu stop at a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta or a tailgate at an Iowa football game, have also been styled to enhance his relatability and appeal to a broader audience. These events have been staged to capture viral moments, further aiding his visibility among younger voters.
Karoline Leavitt, a former White House assistant press secretary, highlighted this strategic approach, noting that everything Trump does becomes a viral moment, which enhances his likeability and keeps him relevant in popular culture and media.
In summary, Donald Trump's 2024 campaign adopts an innovative approach by leveraging non-traditional media platforms, significantly guided by Barron Trump's selection of popular podcasts. This move has not only attracted millions of viewers but has also introduced a novel method of engaging with a voter base that might otherwise overlook traditional political communications.
