We’re less than a week away from the US election day, and ‘political influencers’ have become more important to year’s race than we’d all like to admit. There was the mysterious influencer network that pushed sexual smears of Vice-President Kamala Harris at the start of her race, Donald Trump’s tour of far-right “dude” podcasters and influencers, and the hundreds of internet personalities being paid by both parties to court your vote. With more Americans (especially young people) regularly getting their news from TikTok, the final days of the race look set to largely play out across comments sections and videos. Trump secured a lengthy interview with Joe Rogan, whose podcast draws one of the biggest male audiences in the country, and billionaire Elon Musk has been offering $1 million checks to Trump supporters in Pennsylvania who sign a petition from his PAC. Needless to say, all eyes are on what happens among America’s young men (yikes).

This election is being called the “gender gap” election for a reason. Polls consistently show that Harris is leading among women overall, while men are likelier to back Trump. A recent survey even found that men under 30 are shifting towards Republicans by a 14-point swing compared to 2020. Democrats have historically led with men under 30, but this year that may change. It’s unlikely that these men listened to the Call Her Daddy episode with Harris. They may not feel particularly swayed by visions of the first female president or called into action by the current threat against reproductive rights, but Tim Walz and AOC have tried to meet them where they’re at – on Twitch, playing an American football game over the weekend. Still, admitting that you’re a male Harris supporter on any social media platform right now means opening yourself to trolls commenting that you aren’t a “real man”. That’s where the male influencers attempting to secure the ‘bro vote’ for Harris come in.

Both sides seem to be scrambling to win over the hearts and minds (but really just the votes) of young men, so it looks like securing the demographic group may be key to winning the election. Ahead, we spoke to four male content creators who have taken it upon themselves to encourage fellow men to ‘Pokémon go to the polls’ and vote for Harris.

VIC MEYERS, COLORADO

What about this election inspired you to post politically?

Vic Meyers: I did run for Congress ten years ago, but this year, I made a video upset with the idea that Trump could win the election and put it on Facebook. None of my friends saw it, so I thought I’d try this TikTok thing. I put it on there and it got a big response, so it just went from there. I’m just some old white guy on a prairie trying to make a difference in the election.

How has the response been?

Vic Meyers: Sometimes, I ask myself why that first video had such a big response. I was surprised when it took off, and it was very motivating and humbling at the same time. I’ve always wanted to be a voice for people, so I’m just telling people how I honestly feel. But I do get my share of negative responses from Trump supporters, of course.

What’s your message to young male votes?

Vic Meyers: I hope men will put their country above their party and take a minute to realise the threat that Trump is to the health and welfare of the women of our country. Some people assume I’m a Republican or that I’m a rancher or farmer. I’ve never been a Republican, but people make assumptions. So I’m hoping older white guys like me who are expected to be Trump voters will see me and say, ‘If he’s voting for Kamala Harris, it’s OK for me to vote for Kamala Harris.’ People follow other people and are sometimes too easily influenced, so they need permission to do what they know is the right thing to do.

Are you feeling hopeful about next week?

Vic Meyers: I’m very hopeful. I believe the women in this country are going to turn out in record numbers. The kind of numbers that will leave the men of this country gobsmacked.

BENJI GOMEZ, MINNESOTA

What about this election inspired you to post politically?

Benji Gomez: I’ve only just recently started posting political content. I just felt that this election we’re facing now has so much, if not everything, at stake for so many different marginalised groups. For so many years, I’ve kept quiet about politics because I was raised not to talk about those things, but it was just something in my heart. So I felt like I needed to do my part and try to inspire others to do the same.

How has the response been?

Benji Gomez: I’ve gained something like 30k followers in the last few months. I didn’t realise how many people would gravitate towards me with similar views and stories. Only about 20 per cent of the comments are negative, and I like to continue to spread joy, regardless of people’s political views. I want to be a good example for other men and show we can fight for equity and equality for all people.

What’s your message to young male votes? 

Benji Gomez: We all have an innate responsibility to ourselves and those around us that we love and care about. I think we should revert back to our core values and really listen to our hearts.

Are you feeling hopeful about next week?

Benji Gomez: I have continued to feel more and more hopeful. Even in the midst of all of this noise, I feel like there’s a genuine palpable shift in the air.

SIDDHARTH JAYAKRISHNAN, PENNSYLVANIA

What about this election inspired you to post politically?

Siddharth Jayakrishnan: It’s actually a really weird story. I didn’t post it expecting people to see it in the manner that they did. I just had random songs on cue in my car, and it was right after the coconut tree speech went viral, so it was just a pop culture crossover. I don’t even post consistently and won’t keep posting anything political. I’m not educated enough, and there are people who can explain these political situations much better than I can.

You accidentally become part of the conversation. Why do you think the video appealed to young men specifically?

Siddharth Jayakrishnan: All the Gen-Z commenters just said that we’re so unserious and ‘I can’t believe we’re the next generation of adults’. Then, after the debate, it did get on the wrong side of TikTok, so I had to filter comments for obscene things. I’ve had some comments that question my masculinity, but overall, the video has more likes than hate comments; which is the goal? I guess.

Are you feeling hopeful about next week?

Siddharth Jayakrishnan: If anything, it’s more fear. I live in an isolated college town, so it’s really divisive here. Last week, Trump actually visited and had a massive rally at our football stadium. There was definitely some discourse in the air. All I can do is cast my ballot.

WALT FRASIER, NEW YORK

What about this election inspired you to post politically?

Walt Frasier: I’ve done political humour for 20 years because I do stand-up comedy, but I’m probably right of centre compared to most people in my industry. I spent the 90s defending Republicans, and there was a time when I thought ‘populism’ and ‘nationalism’ didn’t sound like bad words. I realised over time that the people promoting these things were deplorable. Then it got to the point where I realised just cursing out my own father wasn’t doing any good, and I wanted to do what I could to say, ‘Hey, not all white guys believe in this garbage.’ I still think my politics never shifted. I am a true centrist, but I think the Republican Party shifted.

How has the response been?

Walt Frasier: I’ve probably blocked 300 guys in the past two months because they were either trolls or abusive. I’ve had some people say, ‘Hey, great, but I’m still voting for Trump,’ or say that I’m clearly owned by my wife.

What’s your message to young male votes?

Walt Frasier: My biggest message is that you won’t be worse off under Kamala. I say this specifically because that’s a deep fear for a lot of white guys. If nothing else, my message is that someone having equal rights does not make you less. It doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. You don’t have to be afraid, and you don’t have to overcompensate just because you feel threatened.

Are you feeling hopeful about next week?

Walt Frasier: I’m hopeful, but I’m balanced in my hope. I’m nervous. I think the biggest problem we have right now is that everything people say about Trump, they said about Bush, Mitch Romney, and John McCain, but it’s true about Trump. Next week’s choice is really between night and day, and if Kamala wins, white guys will be fine – all guys will be fine. I can’t say the same for my wife, niece, mother or sister if Trump wins.