Walz Urges Democrats to Reconnect With Disengaged Young Men

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is urging Democrats to confront their growing disconnect with young male voters. Walz warned in a podcast released this week that the party must do more to offer a sense of purpose, pride, and opportunity—or risk losing them to figures on the right like President Donald Trump and influencer Andrew Tate.

In a wide-ranging interview on the new podcast “At Our Table” with former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, Walz said Democrats need to understand what’s driving younger men toward political disengagement or into Republican hands.

“Especially young white men,” Walz said, referencing a conversation with his son. “He said, ‘Dad, a lot of them aren’t about the policies. They’re about the thrill and the excitement and, you know, Trump brings the circus type of thing.’”

The former vice presidential candidate, who campaigned alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, said the trend isn’t just about messaging. It’s about failing to offer men a compelling sense of direction.

“We’re not talking about being bread and circuses and entertaining, but we got to be something for them,” Walz said.

Democrats have for several cycles struggled with working-class white male voters, but recent election data showed weakening support among younger Latino and black men as well, Walz said. He warned that the party can’t afford to keep narrowing its appeal—or avoid hard conversations.

Walz, referring to conversations with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, said Democrats often narrow their messaging to prison reform or voting rights when many voters are thinking about entrepreneurship, capital, and building a future.

“Where you’re missing the point [is], why are we narrowing it, that it’s about prison reform or something,” he quipped. “Donald Trump … captures this idea of wealth and being able to be successful. Which we as Democrats, we want people to pay their fair share, but why are we against people being successful like that? We can’t be.”

Walz said Democrats should embrace being pro-business, so long as it means fair practices and real opportunity.

“Not all businesses exploit their workers, and we get ourselves stuck in that. And I think we lose them.”

Walz also discussed lessons from the 2024 campaign, including what he sees as Democrats’ tendency to overcorrect, retreat, or rely too heavily on consultants once momentum builds.

“You can’t play to not lose,” he said. “It’s the prevent defense, it’s not a cliché, it changes your hunger. It changes your attitude. It changes how you punch.”

He said the party had found its rhythm in the early stretch of the campaign and during the Democratic convention in Chicago—but lost momentum once the spotlight faded.

“I kind of felt coming out of Chicago this might be Secretariat’s win—she hit full stride and it was going,” Walz said.

He added that after the convention, Democrats “just kind of quit,” adding that Trump “didn’t quit for four years.”

Harrison agreed—and pressed Walz on whether the tone changed because consultants took over. “What we saw originally … was so natural, was so human. And then I almost felt like we came out of the convention and the consultants and the campaign staff and all took over,” Harrison said. “The joy that you were bringing—I didn’t see that Tim Walz as much.”

Walz acknowledged the shift, saying it’s a mistake for campaigns to become overly managed. “When it’s too formulaic, it doesn’t feel like your passion’s in it to fight,” he said.

He urged Democrats to embrace authenticity, act boldly when in power, and stop shrinking the political map.

That reflection comes as Democrats look to regain ground in the 2026 midterms and beyond. Walz said the focus should be on building infrastructure now, not just waiting to settle on a presidential nominee.

Harrison’s new podcast will feature upcoming guests like former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, who will join Harrison for his first interview since the 2024 election and his father’s leaving office.