David Hogg Criticizes Democratic Party for Alienating Young Men

During an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, David Hogg, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, voiced strong criticism towards his own party, attributing their disconnect with young male voters as a significant factor in President Donald Trump’s resounding victory in the 2024 elections.

Hogg expressed his concerns, stating, “What I think happened last election is younger men — they would rather vote for somebody who they don’t completely agree with, they don’t feel judged by, than somebody who they do agree with, that they feel like they have to walk on eggshells around constantly.” At 25 years old, the gun control activist and Parkland shooting survivor described the Democrats as becoming “too elitist,” pushing away potential supporters with a judgmental tone.

Shift in Young Male Voter Demographics

Recent data highlights a significant political shift among young men. According to Tufts University, in the 2024 election, young men aged 18 to 29 favored President Trump over Kamala Harris by a margin of 56% to 42%. This marks a stark contrast from previous election cycles. Meanwhile, a Harvard Youth Poll revealed that while President Joe Biden held an 8-point lead over former President Trump among all American voters under 30, the Democratic Party has seen a notable decline in support from young men over the past five years.

This trend is further evidenced by a growing rightward shift in political identity among Gen Z men, as indicated by other recent polls.

Internal Party Tensions and Hogg’s Political Actions

1776 Coalition Sponsored Win a Gun

Amidst internal tensions within the Democratic Party, Hogg has been utilizing DNC contact lists to fundraise for his external political group, Leaders We Deserve. This group, which has plans to spend $20 million to challenge established Democrats in secure blue districts, has drawn scrutiny and criticism, as reported by the New York Post.

Hogg has also voiced his preference for focusing on competence over the party’s gender balance rules, stating, “I want to focus on whoever’s just best at the job.”

Support from Across the Aisle

In an interesting turn of events, Hogg has found support from Republican Representative Mike Lawler, who commended his efforts to unseat “out-of-touch Democrats,” remarking, “Some of these people don’t know when it’s time to go.”

Looking Forward

As the Democratic Party regroups following their 2024 defeat, Hogg believes that addressing the core motivations of young male voters and challenging the party establishment may be crucial for revitalization. Donna Brazille, reflecting on the state of the party, admitted, “We’re not a perfect party. We’ve got a lot of shit within us and we have to clean up our own mess. But I’ll tell you one thing, if I had to come back on this Earth tomorrow, I would still be a Democrat because of our values. We fight like hell. Sometimes we never make love at night because we fight like hell.”