But that doesn’t mean he’s caving to Democrats, Grant May, a communications specialist, said on American Family Radio Monday.
Stephen Miller, a senior advisor on policy and homeland security, began his new job Monday replacing Susie Wiles as chief of staff.
That will play huge with young men, a demographic critical to Trump’s success in the 2024 election but a group that swung back to Democrats in the midterms.
Young men favored Democrats 59-%-37%, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) found.
Young people of all ages supported Democrats 66%-31%.
Miller’s appointment signals that Trump is doubling down on an America First agenda that started strong in this, his second term, before bogging down.
Trump quickly secured the border and implemented efforts to deport as many illegals as possible after former President Joe Biden’s open-door policy at the southern border. The Heritage Foundation estimates 6.7 million illegals entered the country during the Biden administration.
“At the end of the day, Stephen Miller's appointment is huge for Gen Z men. Gen Z men specifically, specifically Gen Z white men, swung left in the biggest swing of any group during this midterm election,” May told Ryan Helfenbein, the guest host on Monday’s “Jenna Ellis in the Morning” program.
But after the border was secured, many Americans grew angry at Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they carried out deportation plans. The agenda slowed.
Trump got a lot done early in his first two years, much of it with the stroke of a pen, as he signed 143 executive orders in his first 100 days, far more than the previous record held by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who signed 99 in the same window.
The Big Beautiful Bill brought tax cuts plus Medicaid and healthcare reform, but that was signed months into the second term. The Iran war has contributed to high gas prices and affordability issues that continue to linger.
Miller’s strong personality will resonate with a demographic that feels betrayed in the first two years of Trump’s second term, May said.
Miller is closely associated with restricting illegal immigration, mass deportations, national sovereignty and American identity.
If Miller’s new role is a good signal to Gen Z men, Trump’s comments in a “60 Minutes” interview Sunday might be a confusing one.
Trump told interviewer Ross Douthat his deportation policy “might be too tough” and offered deportation as an area of compromise for the new incoming Democrat Congress. He implied that employed illegals would be in good position to remain in the U.S.
“There’s a group of people that would like everybody taken out. There are also people that are modified on that … get the drug dealers out, get the killers out, get all the rough ones out,” Trump said.
Democrats would be open to that sort of deal, he added, noting that some have already called him to discuss it.
Feelings of betrayal
Whether it’s Miller’s firm, no-nonsense hand or Trump’s deal-making, Trump can win back Gen Z which isn’t loyal to either party. These voters, young males especially, aren’t deeply rooted.
In the midterms Gen Z voters “thought there were campaign promises that may have been broken even though the first 100 days were phenomenal,” May said.
Now Gen Z just wants to see which party is most committed to its brand of governance.
“Young people are looking for an answer, and they’re looking to the side that is most dedicated to winning. The Left has no qualms about using power to their advantage, and a lot of people are attracted to that. They want to be winners,” May said.
“We need a win with a Christian worldview. The Right needs to step up and provide answers to so many of these existential problems they're facing,” he said.
