How Popular Are Conservative Podcasts With Gen Z? What New Poll Shows

Several conservative podcasts, including those hosted by Charlie Kirk, Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro, and Dave Portnoy, have built significant audiences among Gen Z Americans, particularly those who voted for President Donald Trump in last year’s election, according to a new survey.

The Axios-Generation Lab poll’s findings suggest that partisan media consumption trends are firmly established among young adults, with many aligning their podcast choices with political preferences.

Why It Matters

During his successful 2024 campaign, Trump appeared on numerous podcasts to speak directly to voters, a strategy that reflected the increasing influence of the medium on political engagement.

Gen Z and younger millennials are turning to podcasts not just for entertainment, but for political commentary and news. These platforms offer unfiltered access to voices they trust, shaping perspectives outside of traditional media frameworks.

What To Know

According to the new poll, there is a clear partisan divide in podcast preferences.

The Axios-Generation Lab poll, conducted from February 21-28 among a representative sample of 972 18- to 34-year-olds nationwide, found that in the past month, 34 percent of Trump voters in this group had listened to a Barstool Sports podcast—making Trump supporter Portnoy’s shows the most popular among young people who voted for the president.

That figure dropped to just 9 percent among those who voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Other conservative-leaning podcasts also showed a strong skew toward Trump voters.

Roughly 27 percent said they listened to The Joe Rogan Experience monthly, 19 percent to The Charlie Kirk Show, and 18 percent to The Ben Shapiro Show.

Among Harris supporters, only 3 percent said they listened to Kirk or Shapiro, and just 6 percent tuned into Rogan’s show monthly.

The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Kirk’s rapid rise in conservative media—he now holds the number 1 spot among conservative podcasts, according to Salem Media—underscores his resonance with young right-leaning Americans.

“This isn’t just a win for Charlie,” David Santrella, CEO of Salem Media Group, said in a press release. “This is a defining moment for conservative media. The torch has been passed, and we’re not looking back.”

While some podcasts like The Daily, TED Talks Daily, and Call Her Daddy drew more balanced audiences, Axios noted that entertainment and leisure preferences were also split along political lines. Harris supporters, for example, were more likely to attend concerts, while Trump supporters leaned into sports.

What People Are Saying

Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk said in a March statement: “We’re not just talking. We’re activating a generation.”

Generational expert and HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “I see this not as a podcast story but rather an echo chamber story. We’ve spent the last decade or so watching people silo themselves on social media, and now they’re doing it with podcasts.”

He added: “Gen Z, like many generations today, are seeking out voices that confirm what they already believe. And that goes for both sides of the aisle. Everyone is just reinforcing their own worldview with a pair of earbuds.”

What Happens Next?

With podcasts growing as a primary source of news and opinion among Gen Z, political campaigns on both sides are likely to double down on appearances in these spaces.

Trump’s repeated use of podcast interviews in 2024 could set a precedent for future candidates seeking to bypass traditional media filters and connect with young audiences directly.

“The political divide is about identity,” Driscoll said. “Podcasts have become ideological accessories. When two people can listen to two different shows about the same issue and walk away with opposite ‘truths’ I’m terrified, because we’re not just polarized—we’re post-reality.”