Turning to the mid-term, Elon Musk says he is starting a new political party. This is a move that will appeal to key groups that Trump made profits last fall. Young voters, especially young men.
Ali Shapiro, host:
President Trump’s relationship with Elon Musk may have ended, but Musk has not left politics. Instead, looking at midterm elections, Musk says he is starting a new political party. It can appeal to the major groups Trump made profits last fall – young voters, especially young men. NPR political reporter Elena Moore is here to talk about what this means for Trump’s support within the Manosphere. Hey, Elena.
Elena Moore, Signature: Hey, Ali.
Shapiro: Musk calls his new group, “The American Party.” He says voters want a choice in Naka. Obviously, this is still in shape. It’s early. Why focus on potential appeals against young men?
Moore: Well, two things – Third parties have traditionally taken votes from major party candidates in close races, and Republicans are preparing for the midterm next year. So they are already in defense. Plus, men under the age of 30 are truly a valuable group that the party can hold. They were a key part of Trump’s victory last fall, shifting 12 points compared to 2020. They are not even reliable Republican voters. Recent votes from the conservative American Enterprise Institute found that young men were uniquely critical of both parties. Dan Cox led the study.
Dan Cox: It’s very interesting to see musk coming in at this point. In particular, young men are disillusioned not only with the parties, but also the entire general political process.
Moore: And he told me, you know me, he’s not sure if the Musk party will attract these voters, but there’s a great opportunity to get involved with them.
Shapiro: Is that feeling of dissatisfaction Cox talking about things that are inherent to young men?
Moore: I mean, no. So it’s more generational. Over the past few years, young people, regardless of gender or political party, have told me that they have the motivation to vote for issues they care about, not for candidate parties. I spoke to Rachel Jeanfaza about this. She runs Up and Up, a media and strategy company focused on Gen Z. She says that there may actually be appetites for third-party candidates across this generation. But when talking specifically about musk, he may actually have more traction with some younger men, you know, they may be more socially liberal, but they felt they were seen by Trump last year and voted for him for issues like the economy.
Rachel Jeanfaza: They are not Republicans. He spoke their language, so they happened to vote for Trump. He was trying to connect with them.
Shapiro: If these voters can establish this third party, is there any reason to think they are ready to split Trump’s GOP and Musk side?
Moore: Yes, I mean, it’s hard to say. Yang Faza says in her research the young man has expressed support for Musk and his political trajectory. At the same time, the group is a bit of a political question mark, far from the monolith. Yes, they have changed right, but many people you know have not yet formed political loyalty. And for those who have it, some are also just not on the Mask’s decision to break away from Trump. Brillin Hollyhand, 19, chairs the Republican Youth Advisory Committee.
Brilyn Hollyhand: I spoke on 26 university campuses on behalf of the campaign. One college student approached me and said I was voting for Donald Trump for Elon Musk. And I don’t think they will support our party just because he’s not part of it anymore.
Shapiro: You said that third parties often failed. Is masks’ efforts destined from the start?
Moore: So, Musk was a major force in Trump’s campaign last year, but he has no other great track record. This spring he spent heavily on Wisconsin Supreme Court competition, but his favorite candidate lost. Moreover, the potential for masks with younger voters may be with just a few of them. A recent Harvard Youth poll found that men under the age of 30 still approve musk at a higher rate than younger women, but the minority still disapproves. So Ali, it’s safe to say he’s still a very divisive person.
Shapiro: That’s Elena Moore, a political reporter at NPR. thank you.
Moore: Thank you.
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