Barron Trump, the youngest son of President-elect Donald Trump, emerged as a key figure in his father’s 2024 campaign by guiding him toward popular podcasts to connect with younger voters. The 18-year-old played a significant role in influencing the campaign’s media strategy, using his familiarity with Gen Z’s podcast habits to help secure a victory for his father.

As a first-time voter and a student at New York University, Barron Trump advised his father to move beyond traditional news outlets and engage with popular podcasts. His recommendations included The Joe Rogan Experience and Impaulsive with Logan Paul—platforms that have strong followings among younger men. These podcast appearances allowed President-elect Trump to reach a broader audience that traditional media might have overlooked.

"Did Barron Trump win the election? Double-digit gains in young voters prove Trump's flurry of podcast appearances paid off" – Blaze Media #SmartNews https://t.co/QE9pfIOj4R

— BJ Rodrigue (@rodrigue_bj) November 7, 2024

President-elect Trump’s podcast interviews began in June when he appeared with Logan Paul for a nearly hour-long discussion, which quickly amassed millions of views. The shift to podcasts continued with appearances on Twitch, including a session with Adin Ross. During the Twitch stream, Trump acknowledged Barron’s influence, noting that his son had informed him of Ross’s popularity among young people.

The election has shown that the future of political campaigning might increasingly lean on influencers, podcasters, and digital media strategists like Barron Trump, rather than solely on traditional media and ground campaigns. #Election2024 #TrumpVictory pic.twitter.com/RJw3t6OaxQ

— Burning Box (@BurningBox04) November 7, 2024

Barron’s advice shaped much of the campaign’s media strategy, with President-elect Trump reportedly directing his staff to consult Barron on potential podcast opportunities. By following his son’s insights, Trump capitalized on the growing influence of alternative media, which became a central part of the campaign’s outreach.

The approach was effective, as nearly half of men under 30 voted for Trump in the 2024 election. Democrats had previously dominated this demographic, but Harris’s advantage was reduced to just 11 points this cycle. Trump also saw significant gains among Latino and Black male voters, capturing a record share of the Latino vote, with 54% of Latino men supporting him.

"Barron Trump is a very bright 18-year-old who played a big part in his father’s stunning victory". – Nigel Farage MP Leader of Reform UK. MP for Clacton. 🇬🇧

At Mar-A-Lago, waiting for the results of the Presidential Election. pic.twitter.com/QytjXKuhGk

— CR 🌷 (@CarmenInUSA) November 7, 2024

Trump’s success among young voters and minority groups highlights the importance of Barron’s podcast-focused strategy. By tapping into alternative media, the campaign broadened its appeal and shifted the dynamics of traditional voter engagement.