In a rapidly shifting media landscape, a new study confirms what many already suspected: men trust podcasts more than any other source when it comes to getting their news.
According to a poll conducted by National Research, Inc. and published by the Daily Mail, podcasts are now the top news source for men ages 18 to 45. The survey, which polled 1,000 registered voters, reveals a clear shift in media consumption habits among young men, with traditional outlets continuing to lose their grip.
Here’s how the trust rankings broke down:
- 26% of men said they were “not sure” which source they trusted most
- 18% chose podcasts
- 14% chose social media
- 14% selected legacy television networks
- 12% cited legacy newspapers
- 10% preferred conservative news outlets
- 7% leaned toward liberal news sources
This trend is particularly notable as Democrats scramble to figure out how to reengage young male voters—a demographic that leaned heavily toward President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. So far, their attempts to pivot have largely fallen flat.
The dominance of podcasts in male media consumption isn’t surprising to anyone paying attention to platform rankings. As of this writing, the top podcasts on Spotify read like a who’s who of right-leaning or politically incorrect cultural commentary, including:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The Tucker Carlson Show
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- Flagrant with Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh
- The Shawn Ryan Show
- Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast
- The Tim Dillon Show
These shows routinely draw massive audiences, feature headline-making interviews, and cater directly to a male audience that values unfiltered, entertaining, and often contrarian discussions.
Joe Rogan, the undisputed titan of the podcasting world, has become a cultural force in his own right. His show regularly tops charts, drawing millions of listeners each episode. His influence is so substantial that politicians now debate whether appearing on his show can shift public perception.
Despite this, Democrats have largely avoided engaging with the podcasting world that speaks directly to millions of male voters. Vice President Kamala Harris notably declined an invitation to Rogan’s show, instead opting for a soft-focus interview on Call Her Daddy, currently ranked 10th on Spotify.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have made appearances on virtually every major podcast willing to have them, connecting directly with the same male audience Democrats are struggling to reach.
The trend isn’t limited to audio, either. Data from YouTube shows that many popular podcast-adjacent video channels have an overwhelmingly male viewer base—some as high as 90%.
“Young men are eager to be both entertained and educated,” the report notes. And popular podcasters like Theo Von have found the formula that works. Von’s interviews with JD Vance, for instance, were wildly successful and perfectly tailored to the demographic Democrats continue to ignore.
As long as the left refuses to engage with the media platforms where men are most active, it’s unlikely they’ll make significant inroads with that audience.
Ultimately, the rise of podcasts represents more than a media shift—it’s a cultural one. And whether you agree with the hosts or not, the boom in long-form, open conversation is a sign of a society hungry for authenticity.
The question now is: who’s willing to show up and talk?