Democrats’ $20M Male Voter Strategy Misses the Mark, NYT’s French Argues

The Democratic Party’s $20 million plan to win back young male voters, dubbed 'Speaking with American Men' (SAM), is a misstep, argues David French in a recent column. Instead of studying the 'syntax and virality' of male spaces or pushing ads in video games, Democrats should focus on genuine connection. The party’s disconnect with men, particularly young ones, was evident in the 2024 election, where this demographic helped re-elect President Donald Trump.

French points out that the 'manosphere'—a network of podcasters and online voices resonating with men—emerged from a real crisis. Slogans like 'the future is female' fueled a sense of competition, implying men must lose for women to win. Add to that the 2019 American Psychological Association study labeling traditional masculinity—stoicism, competitiveness, dominance—as 'harmful,' and it’s no wonder men feel alienated. The message, French notes, was blunt: men aren’t just struggling; they are the problem.

Both Kamala Harris and Trump tapped into non-traditional media like podcasts during the 2024 campaign, recognizing their sway with young men. But French warns that the manosphere’s darker tendencies, amplified by Trump’s influence, are pushing men toward aggression rather than virtue. Democrats’ answer isn’t to mimic this with a progressive Joe Rogan but to offer sincere affection and a vision of masculinity rooted in compassion.

Rather than strategic ad buys or moralizing lectures, French calls for parents, pastors, and coaches to step up, offering young men a simple message: 'I like you. I want you to live a good life.' That’s the way to counter the manosphere’s pull—not with politics, but with heart.