The unrest on college campuses in the United States is being driven by a strong opposition to an unpopular Democratic president’s support for Israel. The upcoming Democratic national convention in Chicago has also heightened tensions, drawing parallels to the protest movements of 1968. The pro-Palestinian movement in the US has gained momentum, reflecting the frustration and angst of young Americans beyond just the Middle East issue. This discontent poses a significant threat to President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, as he is currently behind Donald Trump among young voters in polls.
Despite being part of the natural base of support for Democrats, young voters are turning away from Biden in favor of Trump, according to recent polls. Only 37% of younger voters are satisfied with the presidential candidates, dragging down the overall satisfaction rate among registered voters. Additionally, more than one-fifth of young voters support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his independent bid for the presidency. Biden’s approval ratings are low across all issues, with the lowest approval rating for his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
A majority of younger Americans view Biden’s presidency as a failure, despite his efforts to address issues like student debt relief that are important to them. Biden’s deficit with young voters in polls is largely driven by those who did not vote in the previous election. Polling data from different sources show varying results for younger voters in a matchup between Trump and Biden. Republican pollster Frank Luntz conducted focus groups with young people and found that many view both Biden and Trump negatively, lacking role models or aspirational figures in politics.
The dissatisfaction among young Americans extends beyond politics, with only 38% of them satisfied with their personal financial situations. A nationwide poll of young Americans ages 18-29 conducted by Harvard University revealed a significant decline in optimism, with fewer than 10% believing the country is headed in the right direction. This erosion of optimism during Biden’s presidency presents a challenge for him and Democrats to address before the next election. The discontent and frustration among young voters pose a significant obstacle to Biden’s efforts to keep Trump from returning to the White House.
