Donald Trump’s strategy in his triumphant presidential campaign marked a significant departure from past campaigns, including his own successful 2016 bid. Rather than seeking out interactions with traditional media outlets such as The New York Times and ABC, Trump pivoted towards podcasts and friendly conservative media. This new approach showed quite an innovative way to engage with voters and has sparked conversations about the changing role of conventional news outlets in today’s society.
Trump’s success despite eschewing traditional media news outlets has presented a unique blueprint for bypassing mainstream media, something that didn’t exist prior to his electoral victory. This strategic shift generated discussions about the role of classical media, especially during the final weeks of the campaign when The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times refrained from endorsing any of the candidates.
This fresh approach seemed to pay off, as Trump won decisively in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, states that President Biden had previously won in 2020. The strategy to reach out to voters involved heavy usage of new age media mediums, trashing conventional TV interviews such as those given on CBS’s ’60 Minutes’, and replacing them with podcasts and influencers, reaching directly to voters who are less likely to follow traditional news.
In an era where the digital revolution has changed the way people consume news, no longer are a few broadcasting networks and newspapers the sole agenda setters on news and information. Trump astutely observed this shift and leveraged the era of podcasts and influencers, which was a strategically savvy move that reflected an understanding of modern media and communication.
Throughout the campaign, Trump effectively utilized streaming platforms such as Kick with Adin Ross, and was interviewed by well-known comedian Theo Von on ‘This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von’. He also spent three hours on one of the most popular podcasts in the US, hosted by Rogan.
Trump’s pivot towards podcasts and influencers evolved after persistent encouragement from his 18-year-old son, Barron. This substantial support base was further augmented by Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, where Trump’s voice echoed loud and clear.
While Vice President Kamala Harris also sought to engage with nontraditional media, speaking to podcasters like ‘Call Her Daddy’ host Alex Cooper, and former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson who cohost the podcast ‘All the Smoke’, there was a stark difference in their strategies. Unlike Trump who majorly relied on friendly and nonconfrontational media, Harris attempted to balance her time answering questions about her record on mainstream outlets.
Trump’s ingenious emphasis on reaching younger audiences, particularly men, seems to have yielded rich dividends. An Associated Press survey of more than 120,000 voters revealed that 52% of men aged 18-44 and 46% of all voters aged 18-29 cast their vote for Trump.
The fragmented landscape of present-day media, which Trump deftly navigated, has been around for years. Yet, today there is a noticeable divergence in gender among the audiences for popular podcasts. These are indicators of a considerable shift in the content consumed by different genders online.
While it’s generally understood that podcasts and influencers have limited sway in appealing to voters in certain geographical areas, there can be no doubt about the importance of strong local news organizations. Based on a recent report by the Pew Research Center, approximately 74 percent of Americans place some level of trust in local news.
This presents the potential for a different model for local news going forward. Trump’s successful presidential campaign in 2016 resulted in a surge in subscriptions for mainstream outlets such as The New York Times, the Post, and the Globe, often referred to as the ‘Trump bump’. It would be fascinating to see if this trend repeats itself.
Notwithstanding the fatigue some pollsters have claimed to observe regarding Trump, it remains essential for traditional news outlets to continue monitoring and reporting his actions tenaciously. It serves as a reminder of the dynamic challenges facing traditional news organizations in the wake of Trump’s successful campaign.
Responses from conservative pundits to the decisive victory varied – while some were quick to declare mainstream news irrelevant, others cautioned against ringing the death bell for traditional media just yet. There’s a consensus that an introspection into the craft, audience outreach, and storytelling methods is warranted.
In conclusion, as the age of information continues to evolve, it calls for mainstream media to adapt to new approaches and audience preferences. While Trump’s elective win has stirred up discussions about the future of mainstream media, the celebrations of its demise may be premature. The victory emphasizes the need for mainstream media to keep evolving and rethinking its strategies.