What Young Americans Want: America’s Future Shifts Right
Nalin Haley points to the Gen Z opportunities…and risks…
For years, Democrats treated young voters as a captured demographic.
Not anymore.
According to my new national survey of more than 2,000 registered voters aged 18–25, the generational tide turns—and fast. In fact, these numbers reveal a path to permanent majorities for patriotic populism.
For insight into these emerging opportunities, I recommend the superb interview of Nalin Haley by Tucker Carlson. Nalin is the 24-year-old son of former Governor Nikki Haley.
Nalin Haley powerfully uplifts his mother as a wonderful mom and committed patriot, their political difference aside. We would be a far better society if more families adopted Nalin’s attitude toward thoroughly loving family across political differences!
Nalin’s points are backed by the data of my survey.
First, these young Americans thoroughly back free speech, aggressively so. As such, they totally repel the ridiculous notion that certain topics are just “off limits.”
Specifically, they reject the smear that those of us who are critical of Israel or Netanyahu are somehow bigoted. They insist on prioritizing U.S. citizens, and don’t care if open-borders radicals call them “nativist.”
The Opportunity: Sovereignty, Sanity, and America First
Over the last three presidential election cycles, voters under 35 have moved sharply to the Right. In 2016, Democrats held a massive +37% advantage with these voters. By 2024, that lead had collapsed to just +13%. President Trump even won young men—a result that would have been unthinkable a generation ago.
That’s not some blip — it’s a REALIGNMENT!!!
When asked about the issues that matter most, young voters don’t sound like Marxists or MSNBC pundits—they sound like patriots.
For example, they staunchly embrace free speech, even when it means allowing statements that some might consider “hurtful or untrue.” By a +45% margin, they welcome free speech absolutism, 69–24%, with a stunning 78% of young Trump voters fully in favor of speech, including unpopular or offensive words.
These rational young adults also totally reject biological males competing in women’s sports—especially young women themselves, with only 28% of females supporting the mixing of sexes in sports. Gen Z overwhelmingly recognizes that America has a systemic problem with trans-related violence, 67–21%.
Looking at the wider world, these voters are instinctively America First. On Ukraine, by a huge 58–23% margin, young Americans want to disengage from the Black Sea war if Zelensky and Putin cannot reach a resolution shortly. Fully two thirds say America intervenes abroad “too much,” 66-21%.
On that same theme, they are far more skeptical of Israel than older generations. Only 25% have a positive view of Israel. Among Independents, that portion drops to a scant 18% positive. Among young Catholics, the number is only 28% positive.
These patriots—some of whom would get sent off to fight in the interventions of the Washington War Machine—remain wary of the perpetual-war mindset that dominates so much of the Beltway.
The Bombshell: Young Men Leading the Way
The most striking data point from my poll involves young men. A staggering 78% describe their peers as moderate or conservative. Only 15% call them liberal. And 64% believe young men are becoming more conservative over time—not less.
That’s a cultural earthquake in the making.
This generation endured all the lies and abuses of the COVID panic. They have been taught for years that they should feel ashamed just for being male—by teachers, the culture, the media. They’ve incessantly heard the scolding lectures about America as a bad actor and been told they should somehow feel group guilt.
Guess what?
They call “bullshit!”
Now they grow into the authentically masculine adults who will likely form the most right-leaning generation of men in American history.
The Economy
But this refreshing new worldview also flows from a broad discontent among the young—and that angst can cut against both political sides, including the Trump GOP now, as the governing party.
So, we must recognize that the present economic outlook remains grim for young Americans—and they know it. Only 24% of voters under 25 rate Trump’s economic performance as “good” or “excellent.” Among young independents, just 6% give him an “A” on inflation—while 44% deliver an “F.”
Unlike older generations, they don’t generally own the assets that soared with inflation. They don’t have portfolios padded by Wall Street’s gains or real estate that skyrocketed in value. They earn, rent, they hustle… and every grocery trip hits hard.
Exacerbating their frustrations, the entry-level job market has tightened. Many young workers find themselves replaced—or preempted—by artificial intelligence. It’s no wonder frustration spills over.
The Future: A Generation in Flux
Yes, economic pain is real. Yes, some of that angst gets misdirected. But beneath the frustration lies a generation annoyed by pompous lectures, tired of being priced out, and done with being told their country is irredeemably broken.
They don’t want slogans. They celebrate sovereignty.
They don’t want handouts. They deserve hope.
They don’t want politics as usual. They clamor for authenticity.
If the Right speaks to these just demands, then patriotic populism will dominate American politics for decades to come.
Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers. He directs political campaigns on media, polling, and Hispanic outreach, including Trump 2016/2020 and Vance 2022 US Senate. He is a former broadcaster for Fox News and CNN.