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President-elect Donald Trump’s recent success in reconnecting with voters via podcast appearances is being highlighted as a pivotal factor in his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Political analysts from both parties are examining the reasons behind Trump’s comeback, with a growing consensus that his strategic use of podcasts had a more substantial impact on the results than traditional celebrity endorsements or coverage by mainstream media outlets.
According to the Poynter Institute, the term “podcast election” has emerged to describe the 2024 race, noting that both candidates engaged heavily with podcasts that cater to large and targeted audiences.
Harris participated in a variety of podcasts, including “Club Shay Shay” hosted by Shannon Sharpe and the popular “Call Her Daddy” hosted by Alex Cooper. However, Trump’s decision to focus on male-centric podcasts proved advantageous, particularly among younger voters. A recent Fox News Voter Survey indicated that among men aged 18 to 44, Trump garnered 53% of support compared to Harris’s 45%.
His notable appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” is credited with significantly boosting his appeal among younger male voters.
Post-election discussions revealed insights from Kamala Harris’s team regarding the diminishing effect of traditional media. Deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty remarked that engaging with prestigious outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post held little value in a general election context, as those audiences were already aligned with them.
Trump’s forays into podcasting not only provided memorable commentary but also underscored the growing influence of this media format during the campaign.
Trump reflects on lessons learned during ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’
Trump’s late-October interview with Joe Rogan attracted over 53 million views on YouTube alone and is widely seen as a potential game-changer in the election. Known for eliciting candid responses from guests, Rogan managed to create a dynamic and engaging exchange with Trump.
During the conversation, Trump identified his “biggest mistake” from his first term as the poor selection of advisors, specifically mentioning individuals he deemed disloyal or “neocons.” He pointed to former National Security Advisor John Bolton as an example, criticizing past military interventions in the Middle East that he believed were misguided.
As Trump pondered why he often attracted more media attention than others, Rogan quipped about his unpredictable remarks, to which Trump humorously acknowledged the necessity of having “the attitude of a comedian” in his line of work.
Rogan later praised Trump’s stamina during their nearly three-hour dialogue, expressing surprise at Trump’s sustained energy throughout the discussion, which culminated in an endorsement just before the election.
Trump entertains on ‘Flagrant,’ pokes fun at Biden
Trump’s appearance on the “Flagrant” podcast with comedians Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh was marked by humor and light-hearted banter, including quips directed at President Biden.
He jested that Biden’s exceptional ability to sleep was a talent he lacked, prompting laughter from the hosts. Additionally, Trump made commentary about Biden’s appearance at an older age, surprising the hosts with his playful edge.
In another amusing moment, Trump described his conversational style as “the weave,” illustrating his capacity to diverge and return to key points in a discussion, a skill he boasted about while the hosts laughed along.
Reflecting on this interview afterward, Schulz remarked that Trump seemed to be winning the election by a wide margin, a stark contrast to his previous skepticism about Trump’s chances.
Trump critiques Harris and speculates on Biden under pressure
In an interview with comedian Theo Von, Trump criticized Kamala Harris and discussed the circumstances surrounding Biden’s exit from the race under pressure from Democratic leaders. Trump characterized the situation as a “coup” orchestrated by party figures, insinuating that threats may have played a role in Biden’s decision.
He labeled Harris as the “worst vice president ever,” which added to the political discourse surrounding their campaign strategies.
Trump jokes about an assassination attempt
During an episode of “Six Feet Under” hosted by WWE’s Mark Calaway, Trump spoke candidly about a recent assassination attempt against him, recounting the frightening experience while maintaining a joking demeanor about the incident.
Trump described how he was interrupted by gunfire while on the golf course, humorously suggesting that the assailant could have allowed him to finish his putt.
Credit was given to a bystander who photographed the suspect fleeing the scene, showcasing an unexpected twist in an alarming situation.
Trump challenges Biden to engage in long-form interviews
On Logan Paul’s podcast “Impaulsive,” Trump expressed skepticism regarding Biden’s capability to handle in-depth interviews, contrasting their communication styles.
Trump’s remarks suggested that Biden would be unlikely to appear on platforms that necessitate spontaneous dialogue, and he entertained the idea of such an event incredulously. The episode received substantial viewership and highlighted Trump’s engagement in contemporary media culture.
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