• Male Gen Z voters helped deliver Republican victory in 2024 but now prefer Democratic control of Congress by 12 points
• Republican approval among 18-29 year olds drops while Trump’s personal rating sits at just 29 percent
• Economic concerns and broken promises drive disillusionment with Republican Party and MAGA movement

CAMBRIDGE, MA (TDR) — Male Gen Z voters who helped deliver Republican victory in 2024 are abandoning the GOP in striking numbers, according to the Harvard Youth Poll released in December 2025. Young men aged 18-29 now favor Democratic control of Congress by 12 points, while Donald Trump’s approval among this group has plummeted to 32 percent.

Among all 18-29 year olds, Trump’s overall approval stands at 29 percent, down from spring. His approval on the economy dropped to 26 percent, while neither congressional Democrats nor Republicans top 27 percent approval.

Economic Anxiety Driving Youth Rejection

The Harvard Youth Poll, conducted by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School between November 3-7, surveyed 2,040 young Americans and revealed a generation under profound strain. Only 13 percent say the country is headed in the right direction.

“Young Americans are sending a clear message: the systems and institutions meant to support them no longer feel stable, fair, or responsive to this generation,” said John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Institute of Politics.

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A staggering 64 percent of Gen Z male voters cited increasing costs of housing and everyday expenses as their top concern. Many feel Trump’s policies have failed to deliver promised economic relief.

From Red Wave to Buyer’s Remorse

The shift is striking given Trump’s success with young men in 2024. Post-election surveys found 58 percent of Gen Z men reported voting for Trump, the first time a majority of young male voters backed a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. Young white men voted for Trump by a 28-point margin in 2024, compared to 2020 when they supported Joe Biden by six points.

The Trump campaign successfully courted young men through male-dominated podcasts and appeals to traditional masculine values. But younger voters born between 2002 and 2007 are now especially critical. Charlie Sabgir of the Young Men’s Research Project noted these voters express “buyer’s remorse” after missing warning signs about Trump’s administration.

Democrats Gain Despite Low Approval

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Despite widespread dissatisfaction, Democrats maintain an advantage heading into 2026. Among registered voters aged 18-29, 46 percent prefer Democratic control of Congress compared to 29 percent who want Republicans to keep control.

However, this reflects frustration more than enthusiasm. When asked to describe each party in one word, 58 percent used negative terms for Democrats (most commonly “weak”) and 56 percent used negative words for Republicans (“corrupt”). Congressional Democrats stand at 27 percent approval, while congressional Republicans dropped to 26 percent.

Trust in Institutions Collapsing

The poll reveals a generation losing faith in democratic institutions. Only 19 percent of young Americans trust the federal government to do the right thing most or all the time. Trust in Congress stands at 18 percent, while trust in the Supreme Court reaches 29 percent.

Young adults also express anxiety about artificial intelligence threatening job opportunities and career prospects. Combined with inflation, housing unaffordability and student debt, many report feeling increasingly unstable about their economic futures. Partisan identity appears driven more by dissatisfaction than loyalty, with both parties struggling to inspire genuine enthusiasm.

Warning Signs for GOP in 2026

Multiple polls confirm the trend. YouGov data showed Trump’s net approval among 18-29 year olds declined 29 points between January and March 2025. The New York Times and Siena College recorded 26 percent Gen Z support for Trump, while University of Massachusetts found only 28 percent approval.

Some GOP strategists downplay the shifts as temporary frustration. But Democratic strategists see opportunity in young voters’ willingness to punish the party in power. The question is whether either party can translate youth dissatisfaction into sustainable movements rather than continuing the pattern of punishing whoever currently holds office.

Can either party earn lasting loyalty from a generation that feels abandoned by the political establishment, or will young voters continue cycling through whoever seems least aligned with the status quo?

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