Even Donald Trump understands that young people will vote in the future. His recent appearance on Andrew Schulz’s Flagrant Podcast demonstrates a shift in his engagement. Using comedy platforms, the podcast targets young male audiences. Young people are drawn to long form and freeform spaces as opposed to mainstream media appearances. The flagrant podcast is very popular among males.
Trump connects to the “Manoverse”
Former President Donald Trump’s appearance on Andrew Schulz’s popular comedy podcast, Flagrant, represents a significant shift in political engagement strategies. This move, along with his appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend, has received over 14 million views, highlighting Trump’s efforts to connect with the “Manoverse,” a demographic of young, often dissatisfied male viewers.
These podcasts, hosted by comedians who have moved from clubs to arenas, provide a distinct platform that contrasts sharply with traditional media appearances. The longform, freeform nature of these shows allows for more in-depth discussions and personal revelations, which has the potential to sway previously disengaged voters.
Andrew Schulz got Donald Trump on the Flagrant podcast, here's the full episode pic.twitter.com/08XUR8XYyQ
— SOUND (@itsavibe) October 9, 2024
A New Frontier in Political Communication
Matt Sienkiewicz, a communications professor, emphasizes the significance of this trend: “When we discuss right-wing comedy, people will ask, ‘Are they really right-wing?'” And we say, ‘We don’t mean their politics necessarily, but they’re tying into a right-wing media sphere.’ But with this podcast tour, Trump was trying to include them in his brand, and these people are accepting that branding.”
This strategy appears to be an attempt by Trump to align these popular comedy shows with his political brand, possibly tapping into a demographic that traditional political outreach struggles to reach. The approach has raised questions about the role of comedy in political discourse.
‘FLAGRANT’ FOUL: Andrew Schulz claims that his stand-up shows at a New York City venue were abruptly canceled just hours after former President Trump appeared on his podcast. https://t.co/LChAUvMvig pic.twitter.com/LdZIwTI75e
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 17, 2024
Candid Conversations and Controversy
During the Flagrant podcast, Trump discussed a wide range of topics, from personal reflections to contentious political issues. He vehemently denied Vice President Kamala Harris’ claims about his position on in vitro fertilization (IVF), saying, “Everybody knows that is false. When I came out, people were a little surprised but I came out strongly in favor of IVF.”
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Schulz posed a provocative question about Trump’s son Barron in relation to the reversal of Roe v Wade. While Trump didn’t directly address the question, he defended the decision to return abortion rights to state control, sparking further debate on these sensitive issues.
Impact on Political Landscape
The potential influence of these podcast appearances on the political landscape cannot be underestimated. Professors studying this trend suggest that these platforms could sway young, previously disengaged voters, potentially impacting election outcomes. The liberal media’s dismissal of these podcasts may overlook their growing influence and community-building capacity among specific demographics.
As the lines between entertainment and political engagement become increasingly blurred, it remains to be seen how this new approach to voter outreach will shape the future of political communication and campaign strategy. What is clear is that politicians like Trump are recognizing the power of these alternative platforms in reaching and potentially influencing a crucial voting demographic.
Sources:
- Why Trump Was on Andrew Schulz’s Flagrant Podcast
- Moment comedian laughs in Trump’s face when he claims ‘he’s basically a truthful person’
