Data suggests fewer young Americans are joining anti-Trump protests

In short: Recent polling and reporting suggest young adults are showing up less often in street protests against President Trump than older Americans.

What's going on

A New York Times opinion column argues that opposition protests against President Trump have drawn big crowds, but not many young people. One example cited is the “No Kings” protests in October, which the column says drew about 5 million participants.

In YouGov survey data referenced by the column, about 8% of people aged 18 to 29 said they took part, compared with 13% of those 65 and older. That is the reverse of what many people expect, since protest movements often skew young. The column contrasts this with 2020, when YouGov data showed higher participation among 18 to 29 year olds, including around 13% who said they joined George Floyd protests.

The column and other commentary point to a few possible reasons for lower youth turnout. These include feeling worn down after past protests did not bring clear results, frustration after Trump returned to the White House, and disappointment with a Democratic Party that some young people see as led by much older leaders.

The piece also connects this to a broader argument about “American exceptionalism,” which is the belief that the United States is uniquely different from other countries. However, available sources do not show clear evidence that low youth protest turnout is a proven warning sign of that belief “deteriorating.” It is more an interpretation than a settled fact.

What to watch

It will be worth watching whether young people shift toward other forms of political action, like voting, local organizing, or online campaigns, and whether new polling shows this protest pattern continuing.

Source: NYTimes