When Donald Trump launched his 2016 presidential bid nearly a decade ago, Gen Z was between 9 and 16 years old. Now as adults, Gen Z men say the president has defined views of masculinity and leadership, while others say they wish to be nothing like him.
Four young men joined the GBH News series Politics IRL to talk about Trump and his impact on their generation, and those following behind them.
Chukwuemeka “BJ” Osuagwu, a 26-year-old independent, said Trump is “not a leader that I think we should be following,” noting negative rhetoric and lies used by the president to garner support.
Osuagwu said, “My problem is, the masculinity that seems to be perpetrated by Trump is that of masculinity that is has inherently been dangerous to people over history.”
But Neko Kady, a 19-year-old Republican, said it’s a necessary danger, especially when it comes to showing strength on foreign policy. He noted that Trump represents the political galvanization of the “masculine movement,” which has been brewing for a long time, especially among young men who missed out on life experience during the pandemic.
“They may have lost themselves or have looked for a role model,” Kady said of young men gravitating toward Trump.
Alex Hagerty, a 30-year-old Republican, harkened back to the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump , and the powerful photo that was captured during the chaotic moment.
“He raised his fist in the air and said, ‘Fight, fight, fight.’ I think not only is that just a masculine trait, but I think it’s also something that embodies the American spirit,” Hagerty explained.
The young men also discussed how their impressions around the Trump campaign were shaped by the “manosphere,” which refers to podcasts and other media promoting masculinity and sometimes, misogyny.
“I don’t think it was just a coincidence. I think they purposefully went on these podcasts like Joe Rogan. … I think that was, you know, a deliberate attempt to try to bring young men into the fold of MAGA,” said Trey Fuccillo, a 22-year-old Democrat.
The panel shared examples of men in politics whom they admire. Fuccillo mentioned the late former senator and U.S. attorney general, Bobby Kennedy, while Hagerty said Michael Sullivan is a role model to him. Sullivan is a former Massachusetts state representative, district attorney and U.S. attorney. He is now a partner at Ashcroft law firm in Boston.
Osuagwu said his most admired politician is the late Fred Hampton, leader of the national Black Panther Party who also founded the Rainbow Coalition. Kady said he respected George Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain.
Watch the full conversation by clicking the video at the top of the page.
In the Politics IRL video series, we give young voters the opportunity to sit face to face and talk openly about the topics that motivated them to vote — or not — in the 2024 general election. They choose what to discuss. We get to see their politics — in real life. If you are a young voter, or know of one who may want to participate in our series, please connect with lead producer Alexi Cohan via email at alexi_cohan@gbh.org.
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