Are Generation Z Leaning Right?

Panelists Joel Pollack and Priya Patel discuss why Generation Z appears to be leaning more conservative and delve into the political divide between genders on “Fox News @ Night.”

Interestingly, both President Donald Trump and New York’s Mayor-elect, Zoran Mamdani, seemed to capture the hearts of younger voters. It’s a curious blend, right? According to reports, on November 4, 78% of voters aged 18 to 29 cast their ballots for Mamdani—67% of young men and a striking 84% of young women.

A year earlier, many of those same young voters supported Trump. He snagged 46% of the Gen Z vote then, which included 56% of young men and 40% of young women—an improvement over previous elections.

If this seems like a confusing shift from right to left, I get it. It’s a lot to digest. But, perhaps there’s a way to make sense of it all.

Poll Shows Mamdani Leading Rivals Post-Election

What attracted young people to Mamdani mirrors their attraction to Trump—it’s the appeal of being different, of wanting to shake up a system that Gen Z feels has failed them. Take, for instance, Trump’s highest approval ratings among young voters in early 2021. Sure, part of it might have been the initial “honeymoon” phase every new president experiences. Still, his actions resonated with Generation Z.

According to the Department for Government Efficiency, about 75% of college-aged Americans backed Trump’s initiatives aimed at reducing waste in the federal government. While older voters might have been wary of those cuts, for younger voters, it felt like progress, like something was actually happening.

FOX News Voter Poll: Mamdani Overcomes Traditional Politicians

Now, Mamdani’s approach is different from Trump’s. Instead of trimming the government to increase efficiency, Mamdani aims to expand its role significantly. In his victory speech, he boldly claimed that no issue is “too small” for government intervention.

This is a worrisome notion for those familiar with political history, yet many young people see it as a sincere attempt to make local government work for them rather than against them—maybe with a few perks thrown in, too.

This sentiment is crucial. Young folks often feel marginalized by both government and the economy, yearning for inclusion. While older generations might brush off Gen Z’s frustrations as mere youthful angst, the reality is stark—the American Dream feels more like a distant fantasy for many young people today.

Unlike their predecessors, who secured stable, well-paying jobs, younger generations face staggering student loan debt while chasing their degrees. A recent report revealed that the average age of first-time homebuyers in the U.S. has now hit 40, a record high.

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This context explains why Gen Z was optimistic about Trump’s housing initiatives and why they latched on to Mamdani’s unrealistic promise to freeze rents in New York City. Anything has to be better than the current situation.

Additionally, both Mamdani and Trump made intentional moves to engage young voters through social media. Whether you label it TikTok politics or something else, it’s clear that Gen Z is swayed by candidates who know how to speak their language. Trump did it by tapping into the independent podcast space, while Mamdani used catchy clips and influencer support.

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My generation tends to prioritize broad, disruptive agendas over intricate policy details. Perhaps that sounds naive, but it reflects our priorities. We’re not interested in preserving systems that don’t resonate with us, nor will we accept a slow decline that benefits older generations at our expense.

If Republicans wish to strengthen their connection with Gen Z, they must listen and continue the trend of challenging conventional politics. Gen Z is eager for rapid change.