The 2024 election wasn’t just a battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. It was also a clash of media worlds pitting traditional media against newer platforms like social media and podcasts. While major newspapers and television networks have largely supported Harris, some even openly supporting her, Trump has leaned heavily on the power of alternative media, where he has found significant support from platforms like Twitter) and leading podcasters such as Joe Rogan. This strategic divide raises the question: Did Trump’s media choices influence the outcome of the election?

Cable News vs. Podcasts

Media consumption trends in the United States show a generational divide. The average age of cable news viewers is about 70, newspaper readers about 60, and magazine readers about 52. In contrast, the average podcast listener is only 34 years old, with younger men making up a large portion of this demographic. Trump’s team quickly recognized this and strategized to appeal to young voters by connecting with them on the platforms they actually use.

Earlier this year, Trump’s campaign hired a 27-year-old consultant to compile a list of podcasts that Trump could appear on — a list that Trump’s son, Barron, was reportedly asked to review. This has led to a large-scale “podcast blitz” on major shows like the Nelk Boys Podcast, Lex Friedman Podcast, Blatant Podcast And The Joe Rogan Experience. These appearances have accumulated over 86 million views with greater visibility through short clips shared on social media. Notably, these were not typical interviews focused on policy or politics. Instead, Trump touched on a range of topics from martial arts and boxing to cryptocurrencies and aliens – topics that resonate with younger audiences, particularly men.

Changing Media Trust

Trust in mainstream media is at an all-time low in the United States, with only 31 percent of Americans expressing trust in traditional news sources. Trump capitalized on this skepticism by bypassing these channels, choosing instead to speak directly to the audience of independent podcasters. And this strategy paid off: in 2020, Trump lost the vote of men under 30 to Biden by 11%. This year, he managed to turn that demographic situation around, beating Harris by 2 percent among young men.

In his victory speech, Trump even acknowledged the role of podcasters in the success of his campaign. His approach reflected his awareness that traditional media no longer hold a monopoly on political discourse. In a symbolic rejection of the old guard, he refused an interview with 60 minutes— a decision initially considered bold, but which ultimately proved to have no consequence on the outcome of his campaign.

Harris’ attempt to exploit podcasts

Kamala Harris attempted to replicate Trump’s podcast strategy by appearing on the popular show Call her daddy and reportedly considered an interview with Joe Rogan. However, these efforts ultimately failed to generate the same level of engagement that Trump’s appearances generated.

The challenges of an unfiltered platform

Trump’s success with podcasts raises important questions about the implications of using largely unregulated media for political advocacy. Unlike traditional interviews, podcasts often lack rigorous fact-checking or follow-up questions, allowing guests to discuss controversial topics without difficulty. In an ideal world, the public would scrutinize claims made in these contexts, but in reality, very few listeners take the time to check the facts.

The solution lies in collective responsibility. Politicians can use podcasts, but these platforms should not replace structured interviews. Likewise, the public must respond critically to what they hear, using available resources to verify claims. Finally, mainstream media must address their trust deficit by focusing on transparency and accountability in order to regain public trust.

Ultimately, Trump’s media strategy highlights a shift in how politicians communicate with voters. By embracing alternative media, he has once again reshaped the political landscape, proving that in today’s world, earning public trust can be more important than ever. Whether this approach will set a precedent for future campaigns remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the media game has changed, and Trump, ever the media strategist, continues to lead the way.

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