Podcasters played a significant role in Donald Trump's success during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Popular figures like Joe Rogan, Andrew Schulz, and Theo Von either hosted Trump or praised him, particularly appealing to young male audiences. Research suggests that Trump's podcast strategy may have provided him with a vote increase of approximately 1 to 2.6 percent, with over half of that boost attributed to Rogan's platform. "It was significant," said Raffaele Ciriello, a senior lecturer in digital innovation at the University of Sydney. "Podcasts were one contributing factor that won Trump the 2024 presidential election." This election marked the largest rightward shift in two decades, especially among young men.

However, in recent months, these influential podcasters have begun to voice criticism of Trump, addressing issues such as immigration, free speech, and the handling of Jeffrey Epstein's case. The shift in tone raises questions about whether their predominantly young male listeners will follow suit.

The change became evident around mid-2023. In July, Rogan criticized the Trump administration's mass deportation policies, calling them an "overcorrection" that negatively impacts innocent individuals. "They're kicking students out that write articles they don't like. F***ing crazy," he remarked during an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience. He also expressed concerns about the Department of Justice's management of the Epstein files and the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show. "I definitely don't think the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or can't say in a monologue," he stated in September.

Similarly, Von condemned the Department of Homeland Security for using his image in what he termed their "banger deportation videos." He shared on social media that his views on immigration are more nuanced than the portrayal in those videos. Schulz has also criticized Trump multiple times on his podcast, particularly regarding the Epstein files and IVF mandates, stating, "He's doing the exact opposite of everything I voted for."

Ciriello noted a significant recalibration within the "manosphere" of alternative media that initially supported Trump. With Trump's net approval rating at minus 17 percent and declining support among young men, this shift is crucial. "Younger men are a critical audience, both for the podcast ecosystem and for autocrats like Trump," Ciriello explained. He added that many conservative voters are loyal to power, and when a leader appears weak, that loyalty becomes conditional.

Kathryn Robison, a lecturer in American studies at the University of Sydney, highlighted economic anxiety as a factor driving young voters away from Trump. Many feel he has not delivered on his promises, and podcasters are calling him out on these issues, influencing a broader audience beyond just young men. "These podcasts are traditionally thought of as the 'manosphere' — but young women are listening to them as well," she noted.

Rodney Taveira, a senior lecturer at the United States Studies Centre, observed that many in the podcast ecosystem viewed voting for Trump as an act of political defiance. However, now that Trump is part of the establishment, that rebellious sentiment has diminished.

The influence of podcasters on voter behavior is growing as more people turn to podcasts for news. Dr. Taveira remarked, "There's a kind of intimacy that emerges when you listen to the same people for hours on end, week after week," which lends more credibility to their messages compared to traditional media. According to the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans now receive news from podcasts. In Australia, men and those aged 18 to 24 are the most avid podcast listeners.

Dr. Ciriello emphasized that the impact of podcasts on Trump's declining popularity should not be overlooked. "These platforms increasingly shape political trust," he said. Taveira suggested that politicians need to engage with podcasts to attract voters, noting that this strategy seems more effective for male-focused and conservative politics.

Despite the waning support from influential podcasters, Ciriello believes Trump will remain politically viable as long as he maintains a dominant presence. He also predicted that podcasters might transition from being "kingmakers" to potentially running for office themselves. "It's all media power, it's all theatre," he concluded. "And the stage is shifting towards podcasts."