Over the last decade, SheKnows has had an ongoing series of discussions with members of Gen Z to gauge how they feel about serious and substantial topics such as politics, gender and racial equality, and women’s rights. We’ve checked in with them as they’ve grown from energetic kids to insightful teens to young adults poised to make their mark on the world. These evolving conversations have provided a fascinating glimpse into their opinions over the years, but more importantly, how they’re feeling now that they’re old enough to vote — and playing a pivotal part in choosing our next President.

Gen Z Voters: By the Numbers — & Beyond

Nearly half of Gen Z voters (45 percent in the general electorate and 47 percent of newly eligible voters) are people of color, making Gen Z more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations. But their diversity isn’t all that sets them apart — not by a long shot. Gen Z has spent their teen and young adult years trying to navigate a complex web of interconnected crises, including systemic racism, gender-based violence, crippling student debt, and erosion of reproductive and gender rights, set against the ominous backdrop of climate change. They’ve seen only elections that feel polarizing and divisive, if not downright hostile. Older members of Gen Z report feeling disillusioned by the surge of negativity, misinformation, and harmful rhetoric that has dominated the past three election cycles; they’re tired and cynical, skeptical of each party’s true intentions.

Because of this, the resulting fear and uncertainty that many Gen Z-ers feel for their future has made them especially engaged in social activism, and deeply connected to the causes they’re passionate about. “They lean less into party divisions and are particularly motivated by the issues,” Emily Slatkow, communications director for the progressive youth voting organization NextGen America, said in an article for NBC News.

A recent survey revealed that almost one-third of Gen Z (32 percent) report being regularly active in social justice work, as opposed to just 24 percent of millennials — a number that goes up to roughly 40 percent among college-aged Gen Zers. For 62 percent of Gen Z activists, moral conviction is the top driver; they’re compelled by a deep sense of what is right. Another key motivator, cited by over half, is a personal connection — either their own experiences or those of close friends and family — which sparks their passion for specific social causes.

Back in 2020, a Pew Survey found that 22 percent of registered voters aged 18 to 23 — the oldest members of Gen Z — approved of how Donald Trump was handling his job as President, while about three-quarters disapproved (77 percent). In a September 2024 survey by NBC News, half of Gen Z voters say they’re planning to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November, while one-third say they’ll vote for former President Donald Trump; still a bigger gap for Harris, but not quite the majority seen in the 2020 election. The Fall 2024 Harvard Youth Poll, conducted by the Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School, saw Harris leading Trump by a large margin — 64 percent versus 32 percent among likely voters.

Interestingly, while both genders are leaning heavily toward Harris, the rate of female support has far surpassed males; the gender gap, which stood at 17 points in the Spring poll, has nearly doubled and is now at 30 points. “There is this unprecedented gap in Gen Z, in the under 30s, in terms of political affiliation and voting intention. But it’s also worth emphasizing that more of that gap may be driven by the move of young women to the left than it is of young men to the right, Richard V. Reeves, author of the book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It, told SheKnows. “I think that for most young men it’s actually more a question of feeling quite politically homeless. They don’t see much on the left for them, for sure. And I don’t necessarily think they’re wrong about that.”

But if talk doesn’t turn into action, none of these statistics will matter one iota, which brings us to the biggest question: Will Gen Z show up at the polls? According to the Harvard Youth Poll, absolutely. “Fifty-six percent of young Americans tell us they plan to ‘definitely’ vote in the upcoming election,” the findings state. “Among registered voters, the number rises to 72 percent.” This number has been bolstered by the surprising mid-race candidate swap. Before Harris took over as the Democratic nominee, Gen Z’s motivation to vote was much more lukewarm. “What I’m hearing from my generation, or my peers, is that people aren’t going to vote at all because they’re not feeling satisfied or represented by either of the big options,” Amelia, 21, told SheKnows prior to Biden’s departure from the race. Now, it’s a totally different story.

“Much of this increased enthusiasm among [Gen Z] Democrats is tied to Kamala Harris as their party’s nominee,” says the Harvard Poll. “More than four-in-five (81 percent) of Harris supporters in a direct match-up with Trump are enthusiastic about voting for her, nearly doubling the 43 percent of Biden supporters who said the same in March.” It can’t hurt that Harris’s campaign has intentionally set out to appeal largely to Gen Z voters; after all, teens do spend an average of 8.5 hours a day on screens, swiping through their social media.

The enthusiasm for Harris may be renewed, but it certainly isn’t new. “I hope that a woman could one day be President. I hope that a person of color could be President again,” Gen Z panelist Reed told us in 2020. “And I think that one thing we need to address is this country’s issue with women in office.” And in the same year, fellow panelist Jack mused, almost prophetically, “I don’t know what’s going to happen in four years. I think [Kamala Harris] would be a good President. I’d support her. I’d be able to vote then.”

Well, folks, “then” is now — and it’s Gen Z’s time to be heard. Will they realize the full potential of their impact and turn out in record numbers to vote? It’s a question we’ve waited for the past 10 years to answer … and in two weeks, we’ll all know. In the meantime, watch the full video to see the evolution of these first-time voters.

If you’ve been voting for a while, you might be seeing a lot of messaging this time of year around making sure your voter registration is up-to-date. But if you’ve got an 18-year-old in your life, you have some more homework on your hands this election season. In the event that your kid isn’t already one of those politically-active Gen Z types, this task could be difficult. We’d like to give you a little help with that.

If your teenager is reluctant or apathetic about the upcoming election, you’re not alone. Young voter turnout is notoriously low if improving. Tufts estimated that 50 percent of young people ages 18-29 voted in the 2020 presidential election, which is a significant jump from just 39 percent in the 2016 presidential election.

“In interviews with dozens of young people, we found that many of them lacked confidence in themselves and their ability to navigate the voting process for the first time,” John Holbein, assistant professor of public policy and education at the University of Virginia, wrote in the Conversation ahead of the 2020 presidential election. “Many told us that in their busy, hectic, and ever-changing schedules, voting often simply falls by the wayside.

“Simply put, many young people want to participate, care about what happens in the political arena, and plan to participate,” Holbein continued, “but they find doing so too big of a hassle to actually follow through on their good intentions.”

Holbein suggests that the easiest way to fix this problem is to make voter registration easier, which is happening in some states that have same-day voter registration. At the moment, however, we’ve got to get to help these kids register ASAP — before those laws can change.

Find an issue that motivates them

The youth-led gun-sense group Students Demand Action (an offshoot of Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action) has been holding voter registration drives and has resources for teens who want to hold their own drive.

Students Demand Action volunteer Alanna Miller, a then second-year student at Duke University, gave us a few tips on how she gets other young people to register ahead of the 2020 presidential election:

“When registering other young voters, I remind them that our generation has grown up in the midst of our country’s gun-violence crisis,” she told SheKnows via email. “And of course, now, the recent police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the shooting of Jacob Blake and so many others have added even more urgency to conversations around police violence as part of gun violence, and their disproportionate impact on Black people in America. Young people are eager to elect leaders who will do something about gun violence and police violence.”

The key to her approach is explaining that the youth vote can really make a difference if they turn out.

“Young voters who are motivated to end gun violence in America should know that there is room for change … ” she said. “Gun violence prevention consistently ranks as a top issue for young voters, so we know if young voters get registered, and turn out to vote, we can be a huge force … “

Find out what issues are really important to your teen, and then do the research together on what elected officials have said about it. They may have taken in rhetoric about politicians not caring and everyone being “the same,” but it’s up to you to talk about how that’s not the case. Look at local politics and laws that have been passed that directly impact your lives and discuss how your city, state, and U.S. representatives have acted — or haven’t — in your interest. Then look at a ballot and see how the people running this year might change that or might be inclined to listen once they’re in office.

Physically help them register

As Holbein wrote, many people feel like registering to vote is a huge headache, and it really doesn’t have to be. Head over to RocktheVote.org or Vote.org for multiple ways to register. Help them gather the information they’ll need for your state like their social security number, driver’s license, or ID number. You may be able to do everything online, but if something needs to be printed and mailed, you should have that prepared too. Anything you can do to smooth the way for them is great, and this is one time when no one will mind you helping a teen with their homework — just so long as they choose their own party affiliation (if any) and sign their names themselves.

Get Them Some Voting Swag

Some sweet voting merch from places like Etsy and UncommonGoods could be exactly what your teen needs to get in the patriotic spirit, register to vote, and then actually show up to the polls.

Do it on time

Voter registration deadlines vary by state and by each registration method. For instance, some states have different deadlines for voters who are registering in person versus online or by mail. Some states offer day-of registration, but make sure you have all your papers in order if your young voter plans to register at the polls on Nov. 5.

Prepare the next round of voters

Parenting expert and psychologist Reena B. Patel has a few tips for how to raise voters from a very young age. First, you need to be a role model by voting yourself and talking about who you’re voting for and why. Then talk about politics on a large and small scale.

“Talk with your child about how you handle disagreements in your home,” she said. “Politics can get heated, and it is important to let your child know that at the end of the day we come together for a bigger cause.”

And if the adults in our government can’t also figure out that particular lesson, we can vote them out!

As Americans, being involved in the democratic process is one of the most important ways we can shape the future of our country. With the 2024 presidential race heating up, this election is truly one for the ages. We once again have the historic opportunity to elect a woman to the highest office in the land, and Vice President Kamala Harris is an incredibly qualified and dedicated public servant who has spent her career fighting for justice and equality. If you’re a supporter of Kamala’s candidacy, now is the perfect time to show your enthusiasm and spread the word with some of the best Kamala Harris 2024 merch available online.

From stylish T-shirts to bold buttons and yard signs, there’s no shortage of creative and empowering ways to show your support for Kamala Harris. Whether you want to wear your support with a classic baseball cap, share with your kiddo at story time, or display it with pride in your lawn, these items make a statement and let everyone know you’re part of this exciting movement. Plus, picking up a few pieces of merch is a great way to start conversations about why Kamala’s vision for America resonates with you, and why this election matters.

No matter who you support, participating in the election is your right, your privilege, and your responsibility as an American. Voting is one of the most powerful ways to advocate for your beliefs and shape the direction of the country. So while you’re stocking up on your favorite 2024 campaign gear, make sure you’re registered to vote and have a plan for Election Day. Your voice matters, and this is your chance to make it heard in the most important way possible!

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Kamala Harris‘ cool, calm and collected attitude towards Donald Trump in September 10’s presidential debate seems to be going over well with political analysts and voters on social media alike.

The two presidential candidates faced off in their first debate, televised on NBC from Philadelphia and some of the moments that spoke volumes were moments when Harris didn’t speak at all.

Related story For the Last Time, No, ‘Post-Birth’ Abortion Is Not a Thing

While Trump fumbled his way through outlandish claims about Democrats’ abortion stances and immigrants, many of which were fact-checked and proven to be false on the spot, Harris displayed a level of composure and restraint that is rare to see in politics since Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Early on, Harris proved that she would not be provoked, smirking and placing her hand on her chin as Trump labelled her (and her father) a “Marxist.” The now-viral moment belittled the former president without Harris having to speak, she didn’t even have to dignify the comment with a response for social media users to widely repost the moment.

When it was her turn to speak, the Vice President didn’t waste time confirming her ideology or dwell on his unsubstantiated claims. She quickly turned the topic to one of the elections most contentious issues — abortion rights.

Harris claimed a Trump presidency could lead to a nationwide abortion ban with increased monitoring on women’s bodies. “That is immoral,” she declared. “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”

While Trump repeatedly ducked and dived away from actually addressing his opponent by name, Harris frequently turned to face him and address him directly, emphasizing her strength and refusal to cower to his intimidation tactics.

Harris has used such a tactic before, gaining viral attention back in 2020 when she shut down Trump’s then-running mate Mike Pence with a raised hand, telling him: “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.” As a woman with a lengthy political career, she knows the importance of standing up to men in her field.

“She knew exactly was she was doing,” CBS News contributor Ed Gordon said of Harris’ facial expressions. “She understood the split-screen.”

While Trump attempted to distance himself from the Republican party’s Project 2025 and brag about his efforts as president during the pandemic, Harris shook her head and looked pained, strategically taking notes with a slight smile, unfazed.

The decision to mute mics while the other person was speaking might have started out as an effort to control the opposing candidates but Harris made it work entirely in her favor.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s big blended family.

In the above video, I reacted to Walz’s “weird” line of attack against the Republican ticket, JD Vance’s “childless cat ladies” comments and more. As the 2024 Presidential race continues, it is the candidate’s social media efforts that may prove who does a better job at speaking to Gen Z. So, how are they doing so far?

It feels to me, post-Obama politics has been forced to evolve into a scrappier, less refined version of itself. Politicians are using social media to appeal to younger audiences, and appearing on Twitch streams to reach the youth vote. On one hand, I’m glad politics is adapting to appeal to teens and find avenues to speak to them directly. But on the other hand, such direct speaking feels targeted.

Politicians never appear tech-savvy, and usually their attempts to do so are out of touch. Recent social media campaigns such as Harris’ use of imagery from Charli XCX’s album Brat on TikTok (after Charli XCX officially declared her “Brat”) seem less disconnected. But already such campaigns are souring as a trend they took advantage of moves out of style.

In Trump’s collaboration with streamers like Adin Ross or Logan Paul as well, I see a similar tension between a more exciting, populist political environment and clearly manipulative campaign tactics.  

As much as Trump and Harris try to wield the massive energy of their youth voters, it’s also clear to me they don’t actually understand how to appeal to youth voters. Brat summer, for instance, which worked so well for the Harris campaign has recently claimed Walz as well, a pick intended to soothe middle aged, middle class white voters. Politicians are not so much commanding control of their Gen Z voters as they are tapping into trends of which they don’t really grasp. 

I admire the attempts to connect with youth, but it is impossible for a politician to truly tap into the zeitgeist— because politicians can never be cool.

As much as their youth staffed social media teams try, the closest a middle aged politician will feel to my generation is how their children describe brat summer to them. And even then, chances are they themselves don’t even understand it. To impact youth vote in a meaningful way, I recommend politicians share policies rather than trying to go viral. To win my vote in the upcoming election, I want to hear about what the future president is going to do about issues that threaten my future— like AI, climate change or gun control. Although, if it must be packaged into bite-sized pieces dressed in Brat green, that’s fine too. 

It’s become so ubiquitous that now Trump’s supporters are doing the nicknaming for him. When Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate, it was only a few hours before #TamponTim started trending on social media, baffling the rest of the Internet — and the confusion didn’t stop after the story behind the nickname came out.

“Tampon Tim” is an apparent reference to a bill that Walz signed into law in Minnesota last year, which required public and charter schools in the state to “provide students with access to menstrual products at no charge.” Schools are to provide them in bathrooms “regularly used by students in grades 4 to 12,” which sounds like a great idea to us, especially as kids are getting their period at younger ages and menstrual products aren’t always readily available at home. The part that’s presumably triggered Republicans is that the products are required to be placed in restrooms and “available to all menstruating students,” including those who use boys’ restrooms. In other words, there are pads and tampons in male-designated bathrooms in Minnesota schools.

That, and the fact that Walz has passed other trans-supporting pieces of legislation and executive orders, has triggered a wave of MAGA panic that smacks of transphobia and misogyny. It’s all pretty predictable, as transphobes have historically been weirdly obsessed with what goes on in public restrooms. But, as liberals began seeing the derogatory tweets, another response rose up: what’s so outrageous about free period products?

“Governor Walz made sure menstrual supplies were available in schools because he understands that period insecurity is real and that girls’ periods are unpredictable and somehow I’m supposed to be upset by this?” one person wrote on X.

“Some of us are old enough to remember what it was like being a young girl on her period and living in fear that your period was going to a) start in school when you were unprepared or b) you weren’t going to have enough supplies with you in school when you were on your period,” added Jemele Hill, a contributing writer for The Atlantic. “A governor providing free tampons and pads for school students, particularly when 1 in 10 girls miss school because of their period is thoughtful governance. Seriously, why are y’all so damn strange?”

Another person pointed out that many boys may already have period products around them on a regular basis, so what’s all the fuss about? “They’re mad that Tim Walz made period products available in girls and boys bathrooms. They’re ‘worried’ that this will encourage boys to be trans.” (Which, side note, is laughable in its own right. Do we really think seeing tampons in a bathroom can change someone’s gender identity?) They added, “You know that boys have period products in their bathrooms at home right?”

And this is an important point. At most, putting period products in boys’ bathrooms will just encourage boys and young men to get comfortable around these items, which is a good thing for everyone. Half of the world menstruates; by definition, it’s normal. The products we use to manage it are normal too. The fact that there’s still a stigma around periods, the fact that we can put “tampon” in a derogatory nickname because it’s assumed to be something negative? Now, today, in 2024?

It just goes to show how much work needs to be done to address this stigma, because there’s nothing bad or shameful about menstruating and definitely nothing embarrassing about making products available to help young people deal with it.

Might be time to look for a new nickname.

Before you go, shop these innovative new period products:

If there is one thing we can nail down in JD Vance’s often-inconsistent political stances, it is that women’s rights don’t stand a chance if he gets voted in as Vice President under Donald Trump. However, Kamala Harris’ VP pick Tim Walz is helping to bolster the Democratic ticket as the far more appealing option for women and those who care about women in the 2024 Presidential election. 

Harris, who has remained committed to expanding childcare access, protecting reproductive rights and improving maternal health care throughout her time in office, has become a promising choice for anyone concerned about what women’s rights could look like under another Trump term.

Walz already shook up the heated 2024 presidential race when he went viral last week for calling the men on the Republican ticket “weird” — a simple but effective line of attack that calls Trump and Vance’s policies what they are and erodes the credibility of their regressive mission.

Women and parents are getting a new glimmer of hope with Walz’s name on the Democratic ticket and his stances on key issues surrounding child care, reproductive health care and education prove why.

Walz’s Stance on Affordable Child Care

Vance has shown his total disregard for parents’ need for affordable child care several times in recent memory. He called universal child care a “class war against normal people” back in 2021. In the same series of tweets, he also vilified working parents, accusing them of wanting to “shunt their kids into crap daycare so they can enjoy more ‘freedom’ in the paid labor force.”

More recently, after expressing his view that people with children should have more voting access and calling women who don’t have kids “childless cat ladies,” Vance failed to show up to a Senate vote on crucial legislation that would expand the child tax credit, proving that his supposed goal of protecting families is all talk and no action.

Walz, however, has made moves to ease the burden of child care. In May 2024, the Democratic Governor announced $6.2 million in new grants to expand child care across Minnesota, which is expected to increase child care program capacity by 2,241 slots. 

“Making Minnesota the best state for children and families starts with child care,” said Walz in a statement at the time. “Accessible, quality child care is critical not only for strong child development, but also for the economic wellbeing of the families in our state. These grants will increase access to child care and help more Minnesotans enter the workforce, growing our labor force and economy.”

Walz is a supporter of state-paid family and medical leave. According to CBS, in 2023, he signed into law a new program that will allow workers up to 12 weeks off per year with partial pay to care for a newborn child or a sick family member, and up to 12 weeks to recover from their own serious illness. 

Walz’s Stance on Education

Beyond child care, parents can celebrate Walz’s hopeful vision for education in America. Walz has been vocally critical of the Republican party’s attacks on educational access. “These are weird people on the other side. They want to take books away. They want to be in your exam room,” Walz told MSNBC last month during an interview. “That’s what it comes down to. Don’t, you know, get sugarcoating this. These are weird ideas.”

The budget Walz signed in Minnesota last year included a major boost in funding for schools and a $1,750 per-child annual tax credit that soughted to reduce childhood poverty in the state.

“We’re going to put it behind our teachers so we can educate our children,” Walz, who was a high school history teacher for 10 years said of the large budget surplus secured by the state, according to Star Tribune.

In 2023, Walz enacted a universal free school meals program that provides free breakfast and lunch to K-12 students whose schools participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The program is not income based and has been praised by local advocates who estimate that around 17% of Minnesota children are food-insecure.

Also in 2023, Walz signed a free college tuition program in Minnesota. The program guarantees families earning less than $80,000 a year qualify for free public college and don’t have to take on debt to cover fees. The program provides last-dollar scholarships, closing gaps between the less-than-sufficient financial aid packages students receive and the actual cost of college attendance.

Walz’s Stance on Abortion Access

While Vance has compared abortion to slavery and supports a national ban on all abortions with no exceptions, Walz’s recent history on issues related to reproductive rights speaks for itself.

In January 2023, he signed a bill into law that codifies abortion as a “fundamental right” in the state, making it the first state to do so after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 

“This is very simple, very right to the point,” Walz said on CNN Tonight after the decision. “We trust women in Minnesota, and that’s not what came out of the [Supreme Court’s] decision, so I think it’s critically important that we build a fire wall.”

Then, in April 2023, he doubled down with more reproductive health care and gender-affirming care bills which will shield people from legal action that other states may take over such care, according to CNN. He previously signed legislation stating that state agencies must protect and support access to gender-affirming care and signed legislation banning so-called “conversion therapy.”

In March of this year, he also discussed plans to expand Minnesota’s abortion legislation to protect those seeking in vitro fertilization treatment in the wake of an Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos created through IVF should be considered children. Walz also opened up about his wife’s experience with IVF while expressing his commitment to protecting fertility treatment.

Of course, Harris is still the central name on the ticket and her own history (and future) on these issues will matter more to voters now than ever before. As Christopher J. Devine, the co-author of Do Running Mates Matter? The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections, tells Katie Couric Media: “Our big conclusion is that running mates matter primarily in terms of what they tell you about the presidential candidate.”

“So picking someone who’s credible is a good signal to voters that you’re serious about governing and you’re not just trying to win an election.”

With women’s issues being one of the many central issues at stake on November’s ballot, Walz and Harris’ commitment to protecting our rights will be a relief to many voters and their race to win just got even more heated.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see the biggest presidential scandals in US History. 

In a previous interview, our panel of young adults unanimously agreed that if the election were held tomorrow, Trump would win. Amelia, 21, predicted that he would “feel emboldened by the fact that he survived an assassination attempt, and use it as a campaign point.” Jack also thought that Trump’s chances were bolstered by a combination of recent events: “I feel like Trump’s gonna win. Especially considering the assassination attempt, but also the debate and his V.P. pick … he’s just skyrocketing to victory. With each step, it’s like he’s propelling himself, just gaining momentum.”

But a lot has changed in the last few days. To say it’s been a political whirlwind is an understatement, as President Biden dropped out of the presidential race and V.P. Harris is poised to take his place. Within the first 24 hours of her campaign, Harris raised a record-breaking 81 million dollars, as the Democratic party gathers behind her in support.

Harris has also caught the attention of Gen Z — a wise move, considering the 41 million members of that demographic who’ll be eligible to vote by the election — with the viral TikTok trend “brat summer” being credited with kickstarting her presidential campaign. The phrase alludes to pop star Charli XCX’s June album “BRAT,” which USA Today described as “an embrace of a hot-mess pop star aesthetic, prioritizing club culture at its core but still offering introspective lyrics on aging, womanhood, grief and anxiety.” (The singer herself said in a TikTok interview, “It’s very honest, it’s very blunt, it’s a little bit volatile … It’s brat, you’re brat, that’s brat.”) On Monday, President Biden’s former campaign account on X changed its name to “KamalaHQ” and its banner to bright neon green, mimicking the cover of the BRAT album. The account is very clearly aimed at the younger voting demographic, posting a mix of serious news clips and more lighthearted interviews and memes, and using language more consistent with Gen Z (a retweet of one of Trump’s blustering tweets was captioned “Oh he’s mad mad”).

“After her rebranding in the last couple of days I feel like she has a good chance,” Jack tells us. “And she’s raised a ton of money. Her campaign’s barely started … so I’m interested to see how she actually campaigns.”

That being said, our Gen Z voters approached the campaign with a renewed sense of hope, but remained skeptical that things could change so substantially this late in the game — especially given the sexism that tends to run rampant.

“I feel a little better about the political climate right now … but I kinda still feel like this country isn’t really ready for a Black woman to be President,” confesses 18-year-old Ajani.

Amelia isn’t as worried about the willingness to elect a female President, but thinks if Harris’s V.P. pick were also a woman, they wouldn’t stand a chance. “This sounds terrible, but I don’t think Kamala’s running pick could be a woman,” she says. “It’s representative of our country right now that I don’t think two women on the ballot together could win.” Jack agrees, opining that for the best chance at a Democratic victory, Harris’s running mate should be “a safe white male candidate from a purple state.”

Our panel of new voters were still persuaded that Trump would win — at least at this point.

“Last week I was certain that if the election were tomorrow, Trump would win,” says Jack. “But right now, I have no idea.”

Amelia feels the same. “If the election were tomorrow I still think Trump would win. I’m not happy about it either!”

“I still think Trump would win the election,” Ajani proclaims. “I do hope I’m wrong though.”

Still, they expressed some optimism given the immediate success of Harris’s campaign, which seems to have breathed new life into the election race. “I feel excited about what these four months could bring,” says Jack. But perhaps it was Ajani who summed it up best: “She’s a very poised and fierce woman. … She knows how to take down a man like Trump.”

Project 2025, a political initiative established in 2022, has reportedly been tasked with helping map out Trump’s second term should he win the 2024 election. Some of these plans include drafting executive orders, like deploying military domestically under the Insurrection Act.

Another part of Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership” plan includes criminalizing all adult content and persecuting those involved in its creation and distribution. And while the incorrect conflation of adult content and trafficking has been a talking point for the far-right for quite some time, this is one of the first times Trump has been linked to a movement looking to abolish the adult industry — and it might be a pointed move.

For those who don’t recall, Trump has a contentious past with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The adult star claimed that she had a sexual encounter with Trump back in 2006 and that she was paid $130,000 in hush money to keep word from getting out. The former president vehemently denied having any sort of relationship with Daniels and said the payment was made to stop Daniels from spreading “false and extortionist accusations.” Trump was ultimately indicted on criminal charges for the payments ahead of the 2016 election back in March.

According to Xbiz, an adult entertainment news site, the Mandate for Leadership’s road map says pornography is “propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children,” and claims that adult content is as “addictive as any illicit drug and as psychologically destructive as any crime,” adding that it “should be outlawed. The people who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned. Educators and public librarians who purvey it should be classed as registered sex offenders. And telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its spread should be shuttered.”

This alleged connection between Trump and Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership blueprint, specifically the goal to criminalize adult content, raises questions about the potential motivations behind this initiative. Is it merely a coincidence that this policy would directly impact Daniels, one of Trump’s most vocal critics? Or is this a strategic move by the former president to target yet another one of his adversaries indirectly?

While these connections remain speculative, the implications of such a policy are far-reaching. Criminalizing adult content would not only impact those involved in its creation and distribution, but also potentially limit free expression and individual rights. And, as victims of childhood trafficking and adult content creators have repeatedly pointed out, this type of attack on the adult content ultimately puts more people in danger.

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“Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES? ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence,” the former president wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a “wonderful” field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary. In fact, I am leading the runner up, whoever that may now be, by more than 50 Points. Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate?” he wrote.

Instead, he will sit down for a Twitter interview with a familiar face who also has a strained relationship with the news network: Tucker Carlson.

The choice seems like a strange one for Trump, considering how a leaked text from Carlson said “I hate him passionately” of the former president. But both Trump and Carlson have contentious relationships with Fox News. Carlson was unceremoniously let go from the network at the end of April, and Trump frequently accused the network for what he perceived as unfair treatment during his presidency. He’s also apparently really annoyed at the photos Fox News runs of him.

Trump had told his inner circle he had made up his mind and would not be participating in the GOP debate, hosted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next week, The New York Times reports. There aren’t any specific details as to when this Twitter interview will take place, or in what format. But given Trump’s penchant for stirring the pot, we’re guessing it’s happening at the exact same time as the televised GOP debate.

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