Young Men's Support for Trump Cools Ahead of Midterms

Republican policies on immigration and the economy raise concerns among college-aged Trump voters

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:00am

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A group of young men who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 expressed mixed reviews of the president's performance, with some criticizing his immigration policies and frustration over rising prices. The softening of support among young male voters threatens Republican hopes of retaining their slim majorities in Congress, as national polling shows Trump losing ground with this demographic.

Why it matters

Young male voters were crucial to Trump's victory in 2024, but growing dissatisfaction with his policies on issues like immigration and the economy could undermine Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections. The party will need to find ways to re-engage this key voting bloc if they want to maintain control of Congress.

The details

In interviews, the college students praised some of Trump's accomplishments but criticized his administration's harsh immigration enforcement tactics and failure to adequately address economic concerns like inflation and student debt. While none said they regretted their 2024 vote, the students' mixed reviews mirror broader national polling showing Trump's approval rating slipping among young men.

  • In the 2024 presidential election, Trump garnered 46% of the young male vote, up 7 points from 2020.
  • Last month, some 33% of men aged 18-29 approved of Trump's performance in the White House, down from 43% in February 2025.

The players

Tyler Witzgall

A 20-year-old sophomore at Saint Anselm College who voted for Trump but expressed disappointment in the president's efforts to tackle domestic economic issues.

Ian Pomfret

A 20-year-old sophomore at Saint Anselm College who broadly supports Trump but criticized the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

Chris Pappas

The Democratic frontrunner for an open Senate seat in New Hampshire, who has been working to engage younger voters through social media and events focused on issues like housing affordability.

Scott Brown

A former Republican senator from New Hampshire who is seeking the GOP nomination for the open Senate seat and is trying to connect with younger voters through his hobbies and social media presence.

Tyler Delaney

A 19-year-old freshman at Saint Anselm College who said Trump's divisive approach will likely hurt Republicans if the Democrats take control of the House in the midterms.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still going to graduate and be in an enormous amount of debt. I won't be able to buy a home for a while.”

— Tyler Witzgall, 20-year-old sophomore

“The ICE thing is a huge problem. I feel like there is a better way of going about it than raiding and killing and instant deportation.”

— Ian Pomfret, 20-year-old sophomore

“If you ask someone in their 20s about owning a home, that seems like a far-off notion. We've got to make that dream within reach of more people.”

— Chris Pappas, Democratic frontrunner for open Senate seat

“It's not a stretch for me to walk in and start playing hoops with somebody or get up on stage and jam with some teenagers.”

— Scott Brown, Former Republican senator seeking GOP nomination

“It gets to a point where you need to have some bipartisanship, and I think that's gonna hit Trump hard after the midterms.”

— Tyler Delaney, 19-year-old freshman

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.