Sender Drysdale, Rafael (2025) The Role of Social Media in Shaping Voter Attitudes in the U.S. Throughout Trump’s Political Career. Bachelor thesis, Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL).
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Abstract
This thesis examines how social media has shaped public perceptions of Donald Trump and influenced voter attitudes throughout his political career, with particular attention to younger male demographics. Using a mixed-methods approach and triangulating statistical data from Pew Research Center and Statista, expert interviews, and qualitative case studies, this study looks at how algorithmically driven content, digital populism, and platform-specific dissemination styles have reshaped political engagement. Findings reveal that platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and podcasting channels not only propagate Trump’s messaging but also contribute to parasocial relationships that blur the lines between Trump being a political leader and a digital influencer. These dynamics are especially influential among younger voters, and especially men, who consume political content in emotionally resonant, visual formats. The research draws on theories such as echo chamber theory and the spiral of silence theory to contextualize changes in U.S voter behavior, concluding that social media facilitates a form of political communication increasingly detached from deliberation and rooted in identity reinforcement.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Name supervisor: | Belloir, A.C. |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jun 2025 08:29 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Jun 2025 08:29 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/650 |
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