‘Daily Show’ Host Jordan Klepper Wanted to Understand Young Trump Voters: ‘I Expected a Bunch of D—s … but the Cruelty Wasn’t There’

Jordan Klepper has devoted a considerable amount of time trailing Donald Trump across various parts of the nation, surpassing even the commitment of several of his most dedicated fans.

Over a span of eight years, the host and correspondent of “The Daily Show” has frequently attended presidential rallies and conducted interviews with some of the rally’s most passionate MAGA supporters for a segment titled “Jordan Klepper Explores the Mood.” Across over 100 videos and six in-depth specials, he has delved into their conspiracy theories, discussed policies with them, and garnered an impressive 232 million views.

For his recent journey, Klepper decided to encounter a particular group of Trump supporters: young males. There was a shift towards Trump among males under 30 between 2020 and 2024, changing the demographic from Democratic to Republican. Klepper located these individuals at universities, UFC events, and during spring break parties in the Gulf of America (formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico). His experiences exploring the “manosphere” are featured in the special “MAGA: The New Generation,” airing May 19 on Comedy Central.

Klepper shares his initial skepticism about the youth, following a ‘Daily Show’ episode, while still donning the suit,” he explains backstage. “I assumed I’d encounter a pack of arrogant individuals, young adults who would criticize transgender people in sports and push for deportation of immigrants. However, what I encountered was not cruelty.

Rather than Klepper, the researcher identified college-aged individuals who were less entrenched in conservative beliefs and more attracted to the thrill associated with Trump. “The MAGA movement is essentially void,” he explained. “It’s not about ideology; it’s about attention and renown.

Many young voters, as Klepper suggests, seem to back Trump despite his political discourse and the implications of his administration. In simpler terms, “Trump is a globally recognized figure and the most captivating character in the storyline of the past ten years.

As reactionary conservatives grew more prominent in the sphere of public interest, liberals found themselves losing their influence. In the media discourse, the MAGA movement was portrayed as a form of rebellious youth culture, even counterculture, according to Klepper. Moreover, it’s worth noting that the algorithms on these social media platforms tend to favor assertive and sensational content, thereby influencing the nature of discussions taking place.

As a movie buff, I must confess that my chats with the youthful supporters of Trump left me feeling hopeful. They seem drawn more to the shiny allure of the MAGA phenomenon than its underlying principles. If this is the case, then maybe there’s a chance to dismantle the MAGA movement.

As Klepper mentions, most individuals I interacted with appeared quite friendly, yet my personal security team seems to be expanding further.

During Trump’s initial term, things became quite challenging, according to him, which eventually led Comedy Central to bring in additional security. In one instance when Klepper was reporting on a school protest, he was suddenly confronted by an aggressive individual. On January 6th, Klepper had to evacuate the Capitol after his film crew encountered trouble with a camouflage-clad rowdy person.

A part of it is that I’m not particularly physically fit,” Klepper humorously admits. “I struggle with push-ups, so if I followed some of the fitness advice popular in certain male communities, I might manage on my own.

In 2014, Klepper joined “The Daily Show,” and in 2016, he stepped into the host’s chair temporarily when Trevor Noah was unwell. Klepper admitted that hosting the show had become contagious for him. Later, when Noah departed in 2022, a series of famous guests and correspondents filled in as hosts for a while.

In the year 2024, upon Jon Stewart’s announcement that he would resume his role as weekly anchor on “The Daily Show,” Klepper joined him along with permanent co-hosts Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, and Desi Lydic.

As Stewart’s contract ends in December, there’s a question hanging over “The Daily Show” about who will be its permanent host. This uncertainty is also accompanied by upheaval at Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount, which has faced criticism for meddling with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” leading its long-standing executive producer to resign. (Klepper asserts that Paramount hasn’t interfered with “The Daily Show”: “We haven’t experienced any restrictions in what we discuss. We are the ones making the editorial decisions in our room.”))

In simpler terms, Stewart’s contract for “The Daily Show” ends in December, and there’s uncertainty about who will replace him. This uncertainty is also happening because of problems at Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount, which has been criticized for interfering with another news program, “60 Minutes,” causing its executive producer to leave. However, Klepper claims that Paramount hasn’t interfered with “The Daily Show.

Regarding the future, both in terms of industries and administration, it remains uncertain whether free speech will still be lawful within the next half year,” Klepper jokes lightheartedly. “However, since I can’t influence any of that, I plan on appreciating what we currently have.

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2025-05-15 18:16