Date of Project

4-23-2025

Document Type

Honors Thesis

School Name

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Political Science

Major Advisor

Dr. Aaron Hoffman

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to showcase the interesting, yet inevitable effect that the medium of podcasting had on the 2024 United States Presidential Election Cycle. Throughout the history of the U.S. voters have looked towards the ever growing frontier of technology to shorten the gap between them, and their candidate of choice. From Franklin D. Roosevelt and the radio, to Barack Obama and the internet, the impact these leaps in communication have had on presidential elections are undeniable. Between the two candidacies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, it was Trump who made full use of the medium of podcasting. Due to his unique approach he was able to tap into voting demographics that had yet to be explored, securing him a solid boost in the polls that the Harris Campaign had not anticipated. In the wake of Trump’s victory, Democrats have taken note of his podcasting strategies and have already made moves to enter the medium in anticipation of the 2028 election cycle. The future of presidential elections will no doubt include more emphasis on podcasting as a mode for candidates to strengthen their base and reach new supporters; a trend that truly began in 2024.

Available for download on Friday, April 24, 2026

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