How Podcasts Sidelined Mainstream Media in the 2024 Election
The 2024 election marked a seismic shift in voters’ engagement with political content. Mainstream media, long the gatekeeper of election coverage, was sidelined by a powerful newcomer: podcasts. Millions of Americans tuned in to hear candidates speak directly, unfiltered, and at length on popular podcast platforms. This shift disrupted traditional media’s once unassailable grip on the political narrative, opening a path for podcasts to deliver more transparent and relatable content. In contrast to the soundbites and quick cuts of cable news, podcasts offered long-form, unscripted conversations that brought candidates closer to the voters. Nowhere was this change more evident than in Donald Trump’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, a show that drew an astounding 67 million views; Elon Musk drew 15 million views and JD Vance 16 million—far surpassing the reach of any mainstream network.
The media has often attributed Trump’s support to racism, misogyny, or a lack of sophistication among his voters. However, on election day, Trump’s overwhelming mandate made one thing clear: millions of Americans simply didn’t get that memo. His supporters saw something different. By connecting with audiences in an authentic way that traditional outlets failed to match, Trump harnessed the power of podcasts to reach voters across the spectrum. His appearances on platforms like Rogan’s show gave him the space to engage in real conversations, explaining his policies, defending his record, and addressing controversies without the constraints of conventional media. These platforms allowed him to resonate deeply with a diverse group, especially young, independent, and skeptical voters who don’t align neatly with traditional political categories.
This move toward podcasts represented more than just a new media strategy—it signaled a profound change in public trust. Voters, especially younger demographics, are increasingly turning away from mainstream media, favoring platforms that feel more transparent and less influenced by corporate or political agendas. Podcasts provided this new media home, where candidates could speak at length without the interruptions, commentary, or quick edits that often distort the message. The result? Trump’s policies and personality reached voters in their purest form, contributing significantly to his success at the polls.
As cable news struggles to hold its influence, podcasts, and similar platforms are fast becoming the battlegrounds for the hearts and minds of American voters. The 2024 election demonstrated that, for millions, podcasts have become the new trusted source for political engagement—one that’s here to stay, reshaping the landscape of American media and democracy alike.
This election was marked by a trend that has been building for years. Younger Americans, mainly those aged 18-34, comprise nearly half the podcast audience. They are drawn to the unfiltered, in-depth discussions offered by podcasts—content that feels more genuine and accessible than the soundbites and panel-driven commentary on cable news. For Trump, who appeared on six of the nine most popular podcasts and YouTube shows, these platforms provided an ideal opportunity to bypass traditional media’s interpretations and speak directly to listeners. With long-form conversations allowing him to explain policies, defend his record, and even address controversies at length, Trump’s podcast appearances effectively reached younger, often undecided or politically independent voters.
The podcast format offers unique advantages that mainstream media often cannot match. Long-form interviews encourage open-ended discussions and offer an authenticity frequently lost in tightly regulated, commercially driven news formats. In Rogan’s studio, Trump could expound on his policies, defend his track record, and address controversies on his terms without the interruptions and pointed questions that define traditional interviews. This level of direct engagement, particularly within the intimate setting podcasts provide, allowed Trump to connect with audiences personally and candidly, tapping into the populist appeal he has built over the years.
Moreover, podcast and YouTube audiences skew younger and more diverse in political orientation, pulling in a large share of independents and undecideds who are often overlooked in mainstream media’s target demographics. Many of these voters appreciate the freewheeling style of independent content creators who offer perspectives that diverge from major political parties. The appeal of these platforms is not lost on savvy political figures who recognize the potential to sway an audience that might otherwise be disengaged from the traditional political process.
The viral nature of podcast soundbites amplified this reach even further. Key moments from his conversations were circulated widely on social media, extending his message far beyond each podcast’s core audience. As clips spread across Twitter (X), TikTok, and Instagram, Trump’s policies and persona became topics of national conversation among younger demographics. Unlike the rapidly shifting narratives of mainstream news cycles, podcast content remains accessible, making it easier for Trump’s campaign messages to stay relevant and continue circulating among audiences.
Mainstream media, meanwhile, seemed unprepared for this new media landscape; with a focus on heavily produced soundbites, live debates, and a one-sided panel-driven commentary, cable news needed to match the appeal of podcasts’ direct, long-form communication. While television channels like CNN and MSNBC attempted to reach voters, they required more organic, grassroots appeal that podcast platforms have cultivated. As a result, they need help to keep up with the genuine enthusiasm generated by independent media.
The 2024 election has shown that podcasts are no longer just an alternative platform—they are a legitimate powerhouse in political discourse, potentially influencing election outcomes in ways that were once unimaginable. Traditional media outlets must reckon with this new reality, as the next generation of voters is looking less to cable news for information and more to the unfiltered authenticity of podcast hosts. In the battle for political influence, it’s clear that mainstream media lost ground to podcasts this election, leaving a lasting impact on the future of American political engagement.
