A big headline is making the rounds: Gen Z is turning Republican. That might sound surprising, especially since young people have long been seen as loyal to Democrats. But a new poll from Yale University shows that something is definitely changing.
The Yale Youth Poll from spring 2025 looked at how young voters plan to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. It broke voters into two age groups—18 to 21 and 22 to 29. The results? Voters aged 18 to 21 favored Republican candidates by almost 12 points. That’s a big lead. Meanwhile, the 22 to 29 age group still leaned Democrat, but only by about six points.
So, what’s going on with the youngest voters?
Let’s start with what they’re saying. Kieran Laffey, a 19-year-old political science student at George Washington University, told The Washington Times that it’s “starting to feel cool to be a conservative now.” Laffey said that many young people, especially white males, feel like they’ve been blamed or hated just for who they are. He mentioned being called racist or sexist without cause, and it’s made him and others take a second look at the party that’s been doing the name-calling.
And it’s not just about name-calling. Many young voters are pushing back on what they see as extreme ideas coming from the left. For example, a lot of them don’t support letting transgender athletes compete in women’s sports. Others are tired of the U.S. sending money to Ukraine. These are not just small disagreements—they show that young people are thinking differently than they did a few years ago.
The Democratic side says this shift is all about misinformation. Ryan Gaire, president of the College Democrats at Binghamton University in New York, blames social media like TikTok. He says false information spreads fast and tricks young minds. But this doesn’t explain everything. These voters aren’t just scrolling through TikTok—they’re living through real events that shape their opinions.
Think about the COVID pandemic. Many young people spent some of their most important years in lockdown. They missed graduations, sports seasons, and social lives. And they saw how government rules kept changing. That made them question who was really looking out for them.
Another big reason? Authenticity. Young people want leaders who seem real. Love him or hate him, Donald Trump has always been seen as someone who says what he means. That straight talk appeals to voters who are tired of politicians who dodge questions or talk in circles. Trump’s influence on the Republican Party may be part of why it’s gaining ground with Gen Z.
This shift isn’t just happening with young voters. Older voters in swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, and Arizona are also moving toward the GOP. CNN’s own data expert, Harry Enten, even confirmed that Republicans are gaining in voter registration numbers in these key battlegrounds.
So, is Gen Z really becoming Republican? The answer is: maybe not all of them, but the youngest part of Gen Z is definitely leaning that way. They’re tired of being talked down to. They want to be heard, not lectured. And they’re not afraid to vote differently than their older siblings or college professors.
Some Democrats have made the mistake of calling young men “toxic” or “privileged,” thinking it would lead to better behavior. Instead, it’s pushed many of them away. When people feel attacked, they look for someone who defends them. Right now, more and more young people are finding that in the Republican Party.
The bottom line? The youngest voters are not a lock for the Democrats anymore. If this trend continues, it could reshape future elections. One thing is clear: Gen Z is speaking up—and their message is louder than expected.