Trump's campaign strategy was to target young men who mostly interacted with politics through edgy bro podcasts and social media. In July, campaign manager Susie Wiles tasked a 27-year-old with spearheading Trump's podcast circuit: Alex Bruesewitz. (1/8)
time.com/7172052/how-do…
time.com/7172052/how-do…
After drawing up a list of shows for Trump to go on, Bruesewitz and senior adviser, Danielle Alvarez, called the former President one morning while he was on the golf course.
"I have a list of podcasts I wanted to pitch you on," Bruesewitz said. Trump stopped him there. (2/8)
"I have a list of podcasts I wanted to pitch you on," Bruesewitz said. Trump stopped him there. (2/8)
"Have you talked this over with Barron?" he asked, referring to his 18-year-old son.
"No, sir," the young staffer told him.
"Call Barron and see what he thinks and let me know." (3/8)
"No, sir," the young staffer told him.
"Call Barron and see what he thinks and let me know." (3/8)
After scrambling to contact Trump's youngest son, who Melania has shielded from the political fray, Bruesewitz got Barron's sign off. Their plan was to start with Adin Ross, a young provocateur mostly known for collabs with celebrities on live-streams of video games. (4/8)
The podcast strategy was set in motion. Like with all things Trump, he relied on trusted family to serve as an arbiter within his operation and guide his strategic decision-making. In this case, it was Barron. (5/8)
Over the next few months, Bruesewitz, coordinating with Barron, booked Trump on a marathon of frat-like podcast interviews with hosts who have massive young male audiences: Logan Paul, Theo Von, and Joe Rogan, who boasts the most popular podcast in America. (6/8)
There are some early signs the idea paid off. Preliminary exit polls show that Trump won over young white men by nearly 60%, while making inroads with Latino and Black men. He won 42% of voters age 18-29, per NBC. (7/8)
nbcnews.com/politics/2024-…
nbcnews.com/politics/2024-…
Obviously, Trump's win is due to more than podcasts. It will take years to fully understand the sweep of his success. But this was a core part of an unconventional campaign thesis to "max out the men and hold the women," as a Trump aide told me. (8/8)
time.com/7171535/donald…
time.com/7171535/donald…
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