The young men who want to help Trump come to power

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  Mattijs van de Wiel

  a reporter

Four years ago, it was the youngest generation of voters, called Gen Z, who helped Joe Biden win. And this year too, the Gen Z vote is worth its weight in gold for the candidates. The group has over 40 million votes.

But for Democrat Kamala Harris, Gen Z support is not a given this time. There is an important difference from last time. Republican challenger Donald Trump is now more popular than ever among young men.

And that group will go through fire for him in this campaign. In the swing states – the states that decide the outcome – they do a big part of the groundwork for Trump: they go door to door to encourage voters to vote for him.

There will be collection points for the work in Arizona every day leading up to the election Go to the Vote. About fifteen young men appeared in a park north of Phoenix this evening. They come from all over the country: from Florida to Louisiana. Their travel and accommodation expenses are paid for.

They are not from the Republican Party, but from Turning Point, an organization founded by well-known right-wing conservative activist, podcaster and YouTuber Charlie Kirk. He has raised tens of millions of dollars for this work.

John is only 18, in training for the Air Force. He says he is doing this for his future children. “I want them to have the same opportunities that they had.” Many Trump supporters are convinced that the country will lose if Harris wins. John is further guided by his own life story. “I’m against abortion. I’m pregnant myself and otherwise I might not be there anymore. That’s just wrong.”

According to Connor (26), the fact that many young men are running away with Trump is the result of their worldview. “They want a country again where men lead and are strong, as it says in the Bible.” According to him, the younger generation of voters is much more progressive than expected. “They are made by the lies of the mainstream media and left-wing universities. Young people think much more freely.”

Connor says he has several friends who first voted for the Democrats and are now going for Trump. “It’s about the economy. You want to be able to buy a house once you’ve checked out. Inflation under Biden has made everything unaffordable.”

The difference between men and women is amazing, which is also known here gender gap name This simply means that Harris scores better among women and Trump does well among men. According to Connor, this is because women choose more emotionally. “And that’s not meant to be sexual.” He says that abortion, for example, is an important topic for many women.

Turning Point’s youth campaign workers quickly take a group photo and then head into the neighborhoods. Using a special app, they can see where to ring the doorbell: potential Trump voters who haven’t voted in previous elections. One of their functions is to provide transportation on election day.

Tonight, a smile and a thumbs up will soon appear at most front doors when the volunteers appear on the sidewalk. Many local residents say they have already voted, all for Trump.

Will it be enough to bet on a win on Tuesday? Traditionally, turnout is higher among women than among men. That could be an advantage for the Democrats. But in a campaign that goes against all traditions and ancient laws, this is still a question mark.

As soon as the sunset turns the sky orange, most volunteers rush back to the carpool area. Some still need to pack their suitcases quickly. They will return to their home state so they can return in time to vote themselves on Tuesday. To Trump, of course.