Former President Barack Obama remains the most popular political figure among young men and is viewed more favorably than figures including President Donald Trump and podcast host Joe Rogan, according to a new poll.
Why It Matters
Young men shifted rightward in the 2024 presidential race, with Trump narrowly edging former Vice President Kamala Harris among men ages 18 to 29, according to exit polls. The change stands out because young men had typically been considered a more reliably Democratic-leaning group in prior elections. Obama’s sustained popularity may offer clues about how Democrats could rebuild support with younger men ahead of upcoming contests, where they are expected to remain a pivotal voting bloc.
What to Know
In 2024, men ages 18 to 29 gave Trump 49 percent of their vote and Harris 48 percent, according to CNN exit polls. That represented an improvement for Trump compared with 2020, when the same age group backed former President Joe Biden by 11 points (52 percent to 41 percent).
A new poll conducted by the Democratic-aligned group Speaking With American Men—first reported by Puck News—found Obama continues to perform strongly with the demographic. According to the survey, 56 percent of respondents view Obama positively. YouTuber MrBeast followed closely at 55 percent.
A smaller plurality—53 percent—said they view Rogan favorably, while 46 percent said they view Trump favorably. Thirty-three percent reported a favorable view of Vice President JD Vance.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, was viewed favorably by 39 percent of respondents. Influencer Andrew Tate—who denies rape allegations in the U.K. and Romania—was viewed favorably by 35 percent.
Among other political figures tested, 26 percent said they view California Governor Gavin Newsom positively, while 17 percent said the same of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the poll found.
The survey polled 3,460 young men ages 16 to 29 from October 28 to November 6, 2025.
Trump’s strategy of appearing on podcasts popular with Gen Z men—including Rogan’s—has been credited by some analysts with helping boost his performance among young male voters in 2024.
What Officials and the Report Say
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle, when reached by Newsweek for comment on the poll Thursday: “President Trump was overwhelmingly elected by nearly 80 million Americans to deliver on his popular and common sense agenda. The President has already made historic progress not only in America but around the world. It is not surprising that President Trump remains the most dominant figure in American politics.”
The Speaking With American Men report reads: “In the wake of the 2024 election, many observers interpreted changes among young men as a political shift. Our findings point to a deeper and more personal reality. Young men are first reassessing identity, belonging, and their place in the world; political attitudes are following, not leading. While many continue to support Democratic-aligned policies, growing numbers feel disconnected from political leadership and unsure that anyone in power understands their lived experience.”
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social in November: “So many Fake Polls are being shown by the Radical Left Media, all slanted heavily toward Democrats and Far Left Wingers…Fake News will never change, they are evil and corrupt but, as I look around my beautiful surroundings, I say to myself, ‘Oh, look, I’m sitting in the Oval Office!'”
What Happens Next
Young men are expected to remain a central target for both major parties. The next major test will come in the 2026 midterms in November, when Democrats will be looking for signs they can regain ground with younger male voters.
