Young Voters Turn Away from AOC and Sanders, Favoring Moderate Politicians: Perspective from RNC Youth Chair

Going Behind the Scenes: 18-year-old Political Commentator Brilyn Hollyhand's Meeting with Trump

Let's dive into the buzz surrounding Brilyn Hollyhand, chair of the RNC Youth Advisory Council, and his one-on-one meeting with the former President, Donald Trump.

Brilyn Hollyhand, a Gen Z political pundit, believes the Democratic Party is staring at the abyss, destined to sink like the Titanic by 2028 due to their reliance on controversial figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Jasmine Crockett[1]. He argues that rather than rallying youth voters, these leaders fuel the party's radical wing, making them the party's voice rather than an inspiring force[1].

"So, let Jasmine Crockett, AOC, and Bernie Sanders lead the way, the future of the DNC. It makes our job easier come the midterms and 2028," Hollyhand said during an exclusive Zoom interview with Digital this week[1].

Hollyhand sees Kamala Harris's defeat as a prime example of the risks the Democrats take by being too radical. In his opinion, the party has ventured even further left[1].

The young political activist met Trump five times, including on Thursday in Alabama when the President delivered the University of Alabama's commencement speech. The duo discussed maintaining momentum among the youth vote following the 2024 election, where Gen Z swung right as Trump interacted with them on TikTok and podcasts[2].

During their chat, Hollyhand suggested Trump modify Ronald Reagan's famous 1980 campaign question: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" He suggested harnessing the youth vote by asking, "'Are you better off then you were 100 days ago?'"[2].

Hollyhand offered the President a unique strategy for the 2025 election, suggesting a series of fireline chats in a virtual setting, allowing him to converse directly with voters[2]. He claimed he had a "secret weapon" for the 2026 midterms, stating that Trump was actually fulfilling campaign promises, unlike many politicians[2].

On the other hand, Democrats have dangled promises of free college and cheaper costs of living to gain the support of young people, while branding Trump as Hitler and comparing Elon Musk to a king[3]. Hollyhand feels that such messaging may sway some youths, but many Gen Zers are evidently not fooled by the Democrats' "false bill of goods[3]."

*DEMOCRATS' IDENTITY CRISIS: YOUTH REVOLT ROCKS PARTY AFTER TRUMP COMEBACK*

The Democratic Party is currently grappling with a plethora of issues, from transgender rights to immigration and the economy, after voters flocked to Trump and his policies in 2024, marking a rejection of left-wing policies[3]. High-profile Democrats like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders have grown more vocal within the party lately, with speculation swirling that Ocasio-Cortez might make a Senate or presidential run[3].

Hollyhand asserts that Trump has the power to exploit his "secret weapon" leading up to the midterms and publish lists of his accomplishments, making it difficult for the Democrats to counter these tangible results[4].

*DEMOCRATS' VICE CHAIR IGNITES CIVIL WAR, TARGETING 'ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL' INCUMBENTS IN PRIMARIES*

Hollyhand anticipates that a list of Trump's achievements will be tough to campaign against in the midterms. "[The Democrats] will have a hard time campaigning against this list of accomplishments...It's going to be super hard to campaign against this list of achievements."[4]

Hollyhand emphasized that his encounter with Trump backstage at the commencement speech was causal, differing significantly from media depictions of the former President[5].

"This guy [Trump] is genuine. He turned it into, 'Hey, man, you've been killing it.' He acknowledged that he watched Hollyhand's hit on Digital earlier that day. No stern business talk; just a pleasant, laid-back chat[5]."

*CLICK HERE TO GET THE Digital App*

Brilyn Hollyhand, amidst the Democrats' identity crisis, contends that their reliance on controversial figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Jasmine Crockett could lead to their sinking by 2028.
Hollyhand proposes a shift in focus for the Democrats, suggesting they might be more effective in rallying youth voters if they move away from their radical wing, which he views as the party's voice rather than an inspiring force.
In the upcoming 2025 election, Hollyhand proposes a strategy for Trump that involves a series of fireline chats in a virtual setting, allowing him to converse directly with voters.
Hollyhand foresees a tough test for the Democrats during the midterms, as they might find it difficult to counter Trump's list of accomplishments, which he claims would be his "secret weapon."
During the meeting, Hollyhand suggested Trump modify his 1980 campaign question, asking voters instead, "Are you better off then you were 100 days ago?" as a means to harness the youth vote.
Amidst the growing influence of pop-culture figures in politics, Hollyhand argues that the Democrats' approach of branding Trump as Hitler and comparing Elon Musk to a king may not resonate with the more discerning youth vote.
In the realm of policy-and-legislation, Hollyhand sees a significant role for social-media in shaping public opinion, as he believes Trump's interactivity on TikTok and podcasts played a part in the Gen Z swing to the right in the 2024 election.
Beyond the sphere of politics, crime-and-justice, war-and-conflicts, and general-news, entertainment and celebrity opinions have increasingly gained traction in the political arena, making figures like Brilyn Hollyhand key players in shaping the future narrative of American politics.