Megan Basham

This was something that Jake Tapper captured recently.

This was something that Jake Tapper captured recently.

So a focus group cited in that Times report found that these voters, specifically young men, tend to see Democrats as sloths or tortoises, whereas they see Republicans as, quote unquote, apex predators. And that's something that's particularly drawing them to Donald Trump, that perception gap. It's the GOP's bold, unapologetic style.

So a focus group cited in that Times report found that these voters, specifically young men, tend to see Democrats as sloths or tortoises, whereas they see Republicans as, quote unquote, apex predators. And that's something that's particularly drawing them to Donald Trump, that perception gap. It's the GOP's bold, unapologetic style.

And of course, it is exemplified by the head of the GOP, Donald Trump himself.

And of course, it is exemplified by the head of the GOP, Donald Trump himself.

So a few issues stand out. First, there's the economic angle. Working class counties with lower median incomes have seen young men gravitate toward the GOP, which they perceive as better addressing their economic concerns like job security, cost of living, some important things like that. And then second, there's also this cultural component.

So a few issues stand out. First, there's the economic angle. Working class counties with lower median incomes have seen young men gravitate toward the GOP, which they perceive as better addressing their economic concerns like job security, cost of living, some important things like that. And then second, there's also this cultural component.

So young white men, particularly those who do not have college degrees, feel that the Democrats focus on progressive social issues, things like gender identity and DEI, something that was heavily pushed by the last Biden administration, demonizes them. Meanwhile, you have the GOP's presence on platforms like Joe Rogan and other popular podcasters with young men.

So young white men, particularly those who do not have college degrees, feel that the Democrats focus on progressive social issues, things like gender identity and DEI, something that was heavily pushed by the last Biden administration, demonizes them. Meanwhile, you have the GOP's presence on platforms like Joe Rogan and other popular podcasters with young men.

And that has really created a pull that the Democrats are struggling to counter. This was what pollster Carly Cooperman told me.

And that has really created a pull that the Democrats are struggling to counter. This was what pollster Carly Cooperman told me.

So they have a multifaceted strategy, but I would say it's being met with just a little bit of skepticism. So a key initiative here starts with this $20 million plan that you mentioned. That's led by activist David Hogg's organization. So it's called the American Men, a Strategic Plan.

So they have a multifaceted strategy, but I would say it's being met with just a little bit of skepticism. So a key initiative here starts with this $20 million plan that you mentioned. That's led by activist David Hogg's organization. So it's called the American Men, a Strategic Plan.

And it will study, I'm quoting here, the syntax, language, and content that gains attention and virality in these spaces of male voters. So the focus is on digital outreach, emphasizing platforms like TikTok, YouTube, also X to some degree, and also on podcasts like Joe Rogan, which were so prominent and influential in that last election.

And it will study, I'm quoting here, the syntax, language, and content that gains attention and virality in these spaces of male voters. So the focus is on digital outreach, emphasizing platforms like TikTok, YouTube, also X to some degree, and also on podcasts like Joe Rogan, which were so prominent and influential in that last election.

So beyond the digital campaigns, they're also amplifying younger voices, people like Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. So really hoping that these will be the leaders of 2028.

So beyond the digital campaigns, they're also amplifying younger voices, people like Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. So really hoping that these will be the leaders of 2028.

Okay, so last Friday, a federal judge in Boston issued a restraining order blocking the Trump administration from pulling funding for Harvard's international students. Now, the policy would impact over 7,000 foreign visa holders, or about 30% of Harvard's entire student body.

Okay, so last Friday, a federal judge in Boston issued a restraining order blocking the Trump administration from pulling funding for Harvard's international students. Now, the policy would impact over 7,000 foreign visa holders, or about 30% of Harvard's entire student body.