Politics

Trump Scores Powerful Endorsement From Crucial Demographic

Published

3 weeks ago

October 31, 2024

The Trump campaign’s intense focus on turning out young men for next week’s election appears to be paying off. On Thursday another prominent celebrity from the world of professional fighting announced he is adding his name to the list of high-octane endorsers standing behind former President Donald Trump.

Jake Paul, the professional boxer more widely known for being a YouTube vlogger and internet sensation, called for change in a short video released by the Trump campaign on X. “Democrats have been in power for 12 of the last 16 years, so if we aren’t happy with the current political state, economic state, environmental state, then who is to blame?” he asked in the direct-to-camera appeal. He pointed to a flub by Gov. Tim Walz when he declared at a recent rally that America “can’t have four more years of this,” an ostensible salvo at Trump but one which left viewers confused about whether he meant the Biden-Harris administration. “Even Tim says there needs to be change, and he’s right,” Paul said matter-of-factly. “We need to change from Kamala Harris to the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.”

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Paul, 27, is far from the first professional fighter or industry persona to endorse President Trump. Rising UFC star Evan Elder used his July 13th victory to grab the microphone and declare, “Long live Trump!” in the hours following an assassination attempt that nearly killed him. Hulk Hogan famously warmed up an audience of thousands at the Republican National Convention in July shortly before President Trump took the stage. Speaking with NPR afterward, Hogan said the crowd’s “vibe was so intense, the energy was so crazy, it felt like maybe I was gonna press that no-good stinky giant over my head and slam him into the mat, brother.” President Trump has frequently appeared at — and even participated in — wrestling bouts, WWE owners Vince and Linda McMahon said, adding he “became part of some of the most compelling and highest-rated storylines in the company’s history.”

In June, President Trump appeared on Paul’s popular podcast “IMPAULSIVE.” their hourlong episode has drawn 4.75 million views and afforded President Trump the opportunity he enjoys most: open-ended prompts that let him freewheel in his answers and conversation. Paul often laughed while Trump excoriated his prosecutions over the summer, lambasted President Joe Biden for his poor debate performance, and spoke candidly about his own family’s struggle with addiction, a topic where many young men can relate. Sensing an untapped market, Trump and J.D. Vance have made visits on The Undertaker’s podcast and “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the largest podcast in the world. Following Trump’s sit-down last week, Rogan said he remains in rocky discussions with Harris about conducting an interview, offering insight into how her campaign must believe it is bleeding too much male support.