Gen Z Is Over Trump And Ireland Should Pay Attention

Caught in the Crossfire: Far-Right Hostility in IrelandWhat’s up EqualityWorx fam? If you’re following the latest US politics on TikTok, you’ve probably seen the headlines: Gen Z is turning its back on Donald Trump. Despite a brief moment in 2024 when Trump narrowed the gap with young voters, new polls show his approval among Gen Z has absolutely tanked. But here’s the twist – this isn’t just about Trump, and it’s not just about America. There’s a lesson here for Ireland’s political old guard, and if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael aren’t paying attention, they could be next on the chopping block.

Trump’s Gen Z Problem: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s get the facts straight. According to a recent Newsweek roundup of polls, Trump’s approval rating with Gen Z has plummeted. In June, only 27% of Gen Z said they approved of Trump, and his net rating has dropped to a brutal -41 points. Just a year ago, Trump was making surprising inroads with young voters, nearly closing the gap with Democrats. Now? The majority of Gen Z is not just unimpressed – they’re actively disapproving. What’s going on? It’s not that Gen Z suddenly loves the Democrats – far from it. Polls show that nearly half of young Americans feel politically homeless. They’re not loyal to any party. What they care about are the issues: the economy, inflation, immigration, and their own futures. When Trump’s messaging doesn’t line up with their lived reality, they check out fast.

Issue Over Party: The Gen Z Way

Lucas Walsh, a youth political behaviour expert, nails it: Gen Z cares less about party lines and more about what politicians are actually doing. If you’re not delivering on the issues that matter – affordable housing, climate action, equality, jobs – they’ll leave you on read. It’s not about red versus blue; it’s about real life. And when politicians get stuck in their own echo chambers, or worse, start sounding out of touch or defensive, Gen Z tunes out. Trump’s recent slide in the polls is proof: a “dizzying array of announcements” and culture war drama just isn’t cutting it with a generation that wants solutions, not slogans.

The Irish Parallel: FF, FG, and the Gen Z Disconnect

So what does this have to do with Ireland? Everything. For decades, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ran the show. But if you ask most 18- to 30-year-olds today what they think of the old parties, you’ll get a shrug, a meme, or a rant about housing, climate, or cronyism. The Celtic Tiger crash, the housing crisis, and the sense that the “old boys’ club” is still calling the shots have left young people cold. Sinn Féin and other rivals are picking up the slack, especially with Gen Z and second-gen voters. Why? Because they’re talking about the real stuff: rents, healthcare, direct provision, climate, and jobs. They’re on TikTok, they’re in the streets, and they’re not afraid to call out the establishment.

Simon Harris and Micheál Martin: Social Media Isn’t Enough

Take Simon Harris, for example. He’s everywhere on social media – posting, engaging, trying to connect with younger voters. In theory, it’s a smart move: meet Gen Z where they are, keep the tone light, and show some personality. And yes, it’s getting him eyeballs. But in practice, that visibility can backfire. When Harris let his guard down with a disability rights campaigner during the last election, it wasn’t just a minor slip – it became a viral moment that made young voters question whether the “relatable” persona was just another layer of spin. Being online is great, but authenticity is everything. Gen Z can spot a rehearsed answer or a defensive reaction from a mile away.

On the flip side, you’ve got Micheál Martin, who doesn’t even do TikTok. His Dáil performances – where he often gets agitated and defensive – aren’t exactly winning him fans among younger voters. In a world where politicians are expected to be approachable, meme-able, and even a bit self-deprecating, Martin’s old-school style just doesn’t land. For Gen Z, politics isn’t just about policies; it’s about personality, accessibility, and the ability to laugh at yourself (or at least not take yourself too seriously).

Second-Gen Ireland: Still Waiting for Real Representation

For second-generation Irish youth, the disconnect is even sharper. If you grew up in a family that never saw itself reflected in the Dáil or the news, you’re not going to be won over by recycled slogans. You want politicians who understand what it means to be Irish and something else – who get the realities of migration, identity, and belonging in 2025.

Sinn Féin and other progressive parties have made gains by talking directly to these communities, supporting grassroots campaigns, and putting diverse candidates on the ballot. The old parties? Still playing catch-up.

The Far Right: Not as Loud, But Not Gone

Yes, there’s an emerging far-right element in Ireland, but it’s not as vocal or organised as in the UK or USA. Most Gen Z conversations here are still about inclusion, fairness, and fixing the system, not burning it down. But if the main parties keep missing the mark, they risk leaving a vacuum that more extreme voices could try to fill.

Trump’s Gen Z slide is a warning for politicians everywhere: if you don’t deliver on the issues, you lose the next generation. In Ireland, the parties that actually listen, show up, and hand the mic to young and second-gen voices will shape the future. The rest? They’ll be left behind, meme’d into irrelevance.