Nearly a decade before Donald Trump was elected president, a prescient reference to his appeal among a key group of voters cropped up in the most unlikely of places: The Sopranos.
A scene from the 2007 finale of the hit HBO series showed an exchange between family patriarch Tony Soprano and his son, AJ, during which the 18-year-old tells his father he plans to join the Army.
Are you nuts? Tony responded. You want to get sent to Iraq?
Afghanistan, AJ corrected his dad. The Armys probably good for my career... My ultimate goal is to qualify for helicopter pilot training. Afterwards, go to work for Trump or somebody. And be their personal pilot.
Although Trump would not launch his presidential campaign for years to come, many claim the scene showcased his popularity among young men, such as AJ, who were just reaching the legal voting age.
A scene from the 2007 finale of the hit HBO series, The Sopranos, references Donald Trump - highlighting his hold on young men well before he ascended to the White House
In the scene, Tony Sopranos son tells his father that he plans to join the army and afterwards, go to work for Trump to be his personal pilot
Many young men are starting to feel as though Trump is an icon of positive masculinity who will help them achieve the American dream
Trumps wealth and perceived business success are tied to his expression of masculinity, a draw for young male voters, The Los Angeles Loyolan wrote in August.
In a certain capacity, I look up to Trump, Ryland Repetti, a finance major and president of the Loyola Marymount College Republicans, told the student newspaper in the piece.
It was headlined, Trump and the Macho Man: How the former President appeals to young men’s masculinity.
Hes done a lot with his life. Being a billionaire, he got elected president without any personal political experience, said Repetti. Those are aspects that I would like to personally attain... so I feel like thats a part of how masculinity plays into it.
Another student agreed. I think a big part of why Trump exudes a lot of masculinity is probably his history as an entrepreneur, Michael Im, a computer engineering major at the University of Georgia, told the Loyolan.
Hes always had this powerful figure... hes a billionaire, hes hyper-wealthy.
Indeed, research has shown that people look at those with higher socioeconomic status as being more masculine, according to Sage Journals.
Many young men believe Trump - despite his multitude of sexual assault allegations and corporate bankruptcies - is an icon of positive masculinity who will help them achieve the American dream.
Even after Trump doubled-down on his infamous 2005 Access Hollywood hot mic moment - during which he suggested men should grab em [women] by the p***y - many men continue to perceive him as their champion.
That clip emerged as a so-called October Surprise when the Washington Post published it in Oct. 7, 2016, one month before Election Day in Trumps 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.
Voters under 30 years old have historically supported Democrats but young men are now increasingly trending towards Republican support
The scene from the series finale shows Trumps appeal to young men, like Tony Sopranos son, AJ, who are just reaching the legal voting age
The Sopranos is considered one of the most popular and influential shows that ever hit U.S. television screens
Theres a deliberate strategy by the Trump campaign to reach out to, especially, disaffected young men, Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, told The New Republic.
A lot of those men care a lot about the economy, but I think theyre also drawn to the perception that Trump is very strong.
Generation Z appears ready to show off its growing political muscle this November as one of the countrys most important voting blocs.
More than half of these voters, who are typically between 18-29 years old, will definitely be voting in the election this fall, according to a national poll conducted by Harvard Kennedy School.
Voters under the age of 35 account for roughly 29 percent of the national electorate, which includes 8.3 million people who will be eligible to participate for the very first time this election, according to the Brookings Institution.
Trumps method of connecting with young men has been apparent in his interviews with dozens of male-dominated podcasters and influencers
Trump chatted with Logan Paul, a popular YouTuber
Trump also had a conversation with Theo Von, a comedian popular with young men, about a slew of topics including addiction
Evidence points to a widening gender gap between young men and women in terms of their partisan support. While voters under 30 have historically supported Democrats, men are now increasingly trending towards Republican support, The New Republic reported.
A central focus to Trumps 2024 campaign is connecting with young men.
His appeal to them reflects a broader crisis - their loss of confidence and overall purpose rooted in economic insecurity and disconnection following the global pandemic.
Trump is very good at turning things into zero-sum games, Daniel Cox, the director of the Survey Center on American Life, told BBC.
Young men are trying to understand their place in society that is rapidly evolving, as a group they are struggling more academically, they have mental health challenges and rising rates of suicide.
The former president is tapping into these anxieties with a masterclass in bro whispering: weaving manly messages of strength into his narrative.
Pictured: President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential race
One of Trumps most notable interviews on his podcast tour has been with Adin Ross
Trumps success in accumulating wealth and championing the alpha-male is a driving factor in why he appeals to young men - similar to AJ Soprano in the finale of the hit series
Trumps vision, to the extent that he has one, is not saying that men are a problem, but theres absolutely a place for strong, willful men to play a role here, Cox told The New Republic.
And you dont have to apologize for being a man. Thats quite obviously attractive for a lot of young men.
He noted that young men arent necessarily adopting more Republican views, but rather feeling a deeper connection with what GOP politicians are saying about the economy and the societal roles of men.
Trumps methods to connect with young men are evident in his recent podcast interviews with Adin Ross, Logan Paul and Theo Von - all of whom have platforms that typically cater to young men.
Trump has secured the endorsement of the founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, and gave the president of the UFC, Dana White, a longtime supporter - who embodies the trope of an alpha-male - a prime spot at the Republican National Convention.
Young men arent necessarily adopting more Republican views, but are connecting with what the GOP politicians are discussing about the economy and the traditional societal roles of men
Trump has offered a different perspective into the issue of male identity - one that is not focused on the negative effects but on what young men can accomplish in their lives
Logan Pauls interview with Trump has reached over six million views on YouTube
He has created relationships with dozens of comedians and influencers favored by men - including Joe Rogan, who is set to have Trump as a guest on his podcast this week, according to The Hill.
Trump also has the support of billionaire Elon Musk, who 68 percent of young men report to like, according to a recent poll conducted by Young Men’s Research Institute.
Trumps appearance of success in accumulating wealth and championing the alpha-male is a driving factor in why he appeals to young men - especially as they struggle to find balance in todays economy.
Research suggests that young men were less likely than young women to achieve key milestones by the time they turn 25, including a full-time job and financial independence, The New Republic reported.
Economic struggles can be a possible factor of young mens alienation as they sense that opportunity has been taken away from them.
This opinion is perpetuated by male-dominated podcasters and influencers in the manosphere - a network of communities on the internet that discuss mens rights and maintaining gender roles, The New Republic reported.
Despite abortion and the Israel-Hamas war being dominant issues for young voters, the overwhelming priority for those under the age of 30 is the economy, according to the Brookings Institution.
The dramatic rise in the cost of housing and rent, education and overall cost of living have left young voters saturated with debt and limited job opportunities - leading to thousands experiencing a complexity of economic stress that is more evident now than in the midst of the pandemic.
Trumps podcast tour is said to have little to do with policy and was more about showing up for young men in America
Trump also gave the president of the UFC, Dana White - who embodies the role of an alpha-male - a prime spot at the Republican National Convention
While these struggles affect the whole country, they weigh especially heavy on young men of all educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, The New York Times reported.
Nearly three-quarters of Gen Z men report feeling regularly stressed by the unknown of the future, leading to eroding self esteem and a dwindling interest in meaningful relationships and long-term planning.
Many young men described their future as bleak, unclear and scary, the New York Times added.
In a world where theres growing skepticism toward institutions designed to promote American ideals, young men are lonelier than ever.
Gen Z men have higher rates of suicide and are less likely than their female peers to receive any help for their mental health.
Most young men said that they fear for the countrys future, and nearly half doubt their cohort’s ability to meet the nations coming challenges, the Times reported.
In a poll conducted by the New York Times, most young men reported feeling fearful for the countrys future, and nearly half doubted their cohort’s ability to meet the nations coming challenges
Voters under the age of 35 account for roughly 29 percent of the national electorate, which includes 8.3 million people who will be eligible to participate for the very first time this election
These are very real concerns and theres a sense in the political realm that nobodys advocating for them, Cox told the BBC.
While Democrats havent addressed the crises of the male identity, Trump has offered a different perspective into the issue - one that is not focused on the negative effects but on what young men can accomplish in their lives.
And unlike President Joe Biden, Cox believes Trump has supported young men who value toughness throughout his campaign - seemingly making great strides in reaching Gen Z men while still holding a narrow advantage on the economy, patriotism and strength.
Cox noted how Trumps podcast tour had little to do with policy and was more about showing up for young men in America.
Meanwhile, the man who wrote the lines actor Robert Iler brought to life as AJ Soprano in that famous finale, show creator and director David Chase, weighed in on where he thought the mobsters son might have landed in the Trump orbit.
He might be the new chief of staff, Chase mused to the New York Times in a January 2019 interview, when Trump was still commander in chief.
He’d be buddy-buddy with [Trump adviser] Stephen Miller, I know that.