Culture 4 min read By Callum Montgomery
Democrats and Republicans Share Favorite Podcasters, Survey Finds
A survey of 741 Americans aged 18–49 found that young people from different party camps watch the same bloggers and podcasters, which calls into question the notion of full polarization.
Americans from different political camps watch the same bloggers, podcasts and comedy shows, according to a new study, which calls into question the idea of complete political polarization in the country. The authors of the study, the founders of the Center for Democracy, Arts and Popular Culture at Colorado State University, surveyed 741 Americans aged 18–49 and found that young people's favorite entertainment sources cross party lines.
Research on political polarization usually focuses on news preferences and social media use, which create information "bubbles" and reinforce already established views. According to the authors, this approach overlooks an important source of political information: popular culture, including influencers, podcasts, comedy, television and film. Politics, as the researchers note, is closely intertwined with entertainment media. The current president, a former reality TV star, was reelected in 2024, in part with the support of comedy podcasters such as Joe Rogan. Political consultant Sara Longwell said she heard in focus groups that many people get political information from an "algorithmic information environment" dominated by influencers, comedians and sports personalities. In her words, the intersection of politics and culture creates a certain "vibe" that influences political decisions.
The survey showed that the favorite bloggers and podcasters of supporters of different parties largely coincide. MrBeast took first place among influencers, named the best by Democrats, Republicans and independents alike. Republicans and independents included Kai Cenat in their top three, while IShowSpeed came second among both Democrats and Republicans. The creators of these channels gained fame through staged stunts, celebrity interviews and video games on YouTube and Twitch. Among podcasts, The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy were in the top three in all groups, while Republicans and independents also named The Tucker Carlson Show and This Past Weekend with Theo Von. Joe Rogan and Theo Von started out as comedians, while Tucker Carlson is known as a right-wing commentator. Call Her Daddy stands out in that it is hosted by a woman, Alex Cooper, and that the show is known for frank conversations about sex and relationships.
Among comedians, the greatest overlap was observed for Dave Chappelle, creator of the series "Chappelle's Show," who topped the list among Democrats and Republicans and came second among independents. Bill Burr, known for his sharp and aggrieved-toned jokes, made the top three among Republicans and Democrats, while Shane Gillis, whose humor, according to The New York Times, fits the changing understanding of conservatism, placed second and third among independents and Republicans. Video games have also become a common ground: players with different political views communicate with each other on Twitch and in stream comments. The researchers note that young people, in particular, encounter different political views in non-political online activities.
The authors emphasize that this matters because influencers and entertainers who cross party lines gain the ability to shape a political "vibe." In addition, the survey shows that many popular content creators are men and promote masculinity. Campaigns & Elections magazine reported that in 2024, half of registered voters who listened to at least one podcast a month said podcasts had influenced their choices, and that these listeners overall leaned conservative. In the authors' view, Rogan, who is popular in all three groups, has long expressed libertarian ideas and hosts right-wing politicians, while Von and Carlson occupy a similar space.
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