by Gregory Fite
Like everyone else in our community, I was deeply disappointed and surprised by the presidential election results. As the last votes are tabulated, it appears that Trump’s popular vote lead over Harris sits at about 1.5% This is not a “mandate,” as Trump & Co. are claiming. Nonetheless, as he returns to the White House, he is essentially free from accountability for his many past crimes. And his incoming administration poses a threat to our country and the planet.
Voters who rejected Harris often voted for issues Democrats supported — such as reproductive freedom, higher minimum wages — as well as for Democratic senators in states that narrowly supported Trump. Reasons for the Harris loss — and Trump’s narrow edge in the popular vote — could be the same reasons that led to the post-COVID rejection of incumbent politicians and parties throughout the world: Inflation and other economic problems have upset people. Also, Biden had remained in the race until mid-summer, and his popularity was between 38% and 41%. Progressive turnout was sub-par. Gaza didn’t help, either. When Harris received 48.6% or so of the popular vote, she had actually improved considerably over Biden’s low popularity, but not enough to win the election.
Most of us have believed that population demographics were favoring a shift to the left politically: Ethnic minorities and young people were an increasing percentage of the population — and they would continue to vote primarily Democratic. It now seems that we have been living in a reality apart from these groups. Voting trends among almost all ethnic groups shifted to the right in 2024 — but especially so for young males, who turned out heavily for Trump. What is going on and what can we do to effect more positive outcomes in the future?
I recently listened to clips of Trump talking to young men on the Joe Rogan podcast. He sounded like a kindly, straight talking, good-humored uncle who understands what you’re feeling, someone who ‘hears you.’ I was actually surprised — because this wasn’t the Trump of his rallies, where he fulminates and blurts out insults and nonsense that mock individuals and government to the delight of his audiences. This was The Guy Who Gets You.
The Joe Rogan Show is one of many podcasts and news shows that aren’t traditional professional journalism. They are especially popular among the political right — where they have largely replaced traditional media for their audience. They reach younger audiences in the spaces where they gather in communities and absorb information. These shows cause their audiences to feel a sense of belonging and identity. They’re spaces where objective reality, as we’ve defined it, doesn’t matter. The intimate man-to-man space created between the podcast facilitator and the audience envelops the listeners and makes them feel accepted and valued. I am guessing they aren’t thinking about the issues that confront the women in their lives.
We as a society have allowed a vacuum to flourish in the acculturation of males and, in that vacuum, right-wing influencers have faced little competition. We have to change this and reach this vital audience — because everyone’s future depends upon their participation and success in the economy, family and society. Many people who are active in the progressive movement tend to be older, middle class and college educated. We may not be the most effective messengers to reach out to working class men who gravitate toward the “Manosphere” for identity and political views.
We will need great role models — teachers, local leaders, politicians and others — who can go into the Manosphere to compete head-on with the right wingers. Tyrants throughout history have co-opted young males to be their enforcers, soldiers and shock troops. We have to counteract this dynamic effectively and ‘bring our men home.’ I view someone like Eric Swalwell as an example “role model” here.
The Democratic Party, in conjunction with progressive organizations, needs to boldly reaffirm its support of the working class and reclaim its vital relationships with unions, union organizers and working women and men. We have to keep finding ways to do this on an ongoing basis, reaching people wherever they are. We have to call out Republican lies and take credit for the good things Democrats have done.
I hope that we, in our progressive communities, quickly find effective ways to bring our young men home, to join us in common cause to forge a better future.
