CNN: Democrats’ Masculinity Problem, Messaging, Perception, and Voter Shifts 

During a recent CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip panel discussion, political strategists debated a controversial and increasingly urgent question: Has the Democratic Party’s messaging become too feminine, and is it alienating male voters? With polling data showing a widening gender gap—particularly among young and working-class men—concerns are mounting over whether Democrats have a growing “masculinity problem” or whether this narrative is simply another front in the conservative culture war.  

But a deeper question lingers: Is this critique based in misogyny, or is it a legitimate political concern?

The Data: A Growing Gender Divide

Polling data consistently shows that masculinity influences political affiliation. According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of Republican men describe themselves as “highly masculine,” compared to just 29% of Democratic men. Additionally, a PNAS study found that men who embrace traditional masculine norms are significantly more likely to support Donald Trump.  

This divide is reflected in voting patterns. In 2020, Trump secured the male vote by 12 points, with non-college-educated men overwhelmingly supporting him. Even among liberal men, 20% shifted their support to Trump, indicating a change that could become even more pronounced in 2024. 

However, is this shift a response to Democratic messaging—or is it **resentment toward changing gender roles and the prominence of women in Democratic politics?**  

The Democratic Party has undergone a demographic shift, with 60% of its voters now being women, compared to 40% men. While this change has strengthened the party’s support among women and minorities, it has also widened the gender gap, causing some male voters—especially those from working-class and rural communities—to feel disconnected. 

The question remains: Is this just a reaction to changing party dynamics, or is there a deeper discomfort with women taking the lead in Democratic politics?  

The GOP’s Masculine Branding: Strength and Power  

The panel also examined how Republicans have intentionally embraced traditional masculinity. Fox News host Pete Hegseth recently shared a video of himself completing a 220-pound squat in Germany, reinforcing an image of physical strength and toughness that resonates with conservative men.  

Former President Donald Trump has consistently leveraged this messaging, employing aggressive, hyper-masculine rhetoric to energize his supporters. A notable instance was his reaction to a protest in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he raised his fist and shouted repeatedly, “Fight, fight,” fight!” One panelist described this moment as “a shot of testosterone” that resonated with male voters, including influential figures like Mark Zuckerberg, who reportedly found the display compelling.  

This contrast between the narratives of Republican strength and Democratic inclusivity raises another question: Are Democrats losing male voters due to their messaging, or do some men reject a more gender-equitable society?  

Obama, Harris, and the Democratic Rift with Black Men 

The divide between the Democratic Party and male voters isn’t just a white working-class issue—it has also played out among Black men. This demographic has traditionally been a stronghold for Democrats but has begun shifting, albeit gradually, toward Republicans.

One of the biggest flashpoints came when both Barack and Michelle Obama publicly criticized Black men for not showing enough support for Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting that Black men were being misogynistic or had internalized hatred toward Black women

This message backfired. Black men overwhelmingly supported Harris in 2020, but Obama’s rebuke sent a tone-deaf and damaging signal that alienated many Black male voters. Instead of energizing support, it reinforced a growing perception that the Democratic Party takes Black men for granted while focusing more on other demographics.  

The electoral consequences were significant. Trump garnered the highest percentage of Black votes for a Republican in modern history, especially among Black men. Many Black men who felt disrespected or undervalued by the Democratic Party either stayed home or voted for Trump, contributing to his stronger performance among minorities in 2020.  

This raises another critical question: **Is the Democratic Party losing Black men due to their policies and rhetoric—or are some Democratic leaders unwilling to acknowledge the legitimate frustrations of Black male voters?  

Democrats: The “Party of the Others” or a Party That Alienates Men?  

One female panelist reframed the issue by arguing that the Democratic Party has become “a place for the others”—a political home for marginalized groups, progressive women, LGBTQ+ communities, and racial minorities.  

This inclusivity has broadened the party’s base, but it has also created a perception among some men—Black, white, and Latino—that traditional masculinity is either ignored or outright dismissed.  

The Balancing Act: Misogyny or Legitimate Political Concern?

Recent surveys from the American Survey Center found that many young men feel increasingly disconnected from the Democratic Party. Some express frustration that they no longer feel welcomed or represented.  

Again, is this a real problem Democrats must address, or a backlash against progress that they shouldn’t cater to?

The CNN NewsNight discussion highlighted a crucial strategic challenge for Democrats: How can they uphold their commitment to progressive values while reconnecting with male voters? They can no longer dismiss this issue as misogyny, sexism, or even racism. Democrats must confront this directly if they hope to win any presidential election in the future.   

Some argue that the party must rethink its messaging to include positive, aspirational representations of masculinity—emphasizing strength, resilience, and ambition without sacrificing inclusivity. Others contend that the issue isn’t the messaging itself, but rather that some men struggle to accept a political landscape where women and marginalized groups wield more power than ever before.  

And so, the fundamental question remains:  

Is this a real political crisis that Democrats need to address? Or is it simply a backlash against gender equality that should not be appeased?