Trump is all Gen Z knows. They're ready for what's next.
Winning in 2026 means breaking from the past decade’s playbook.
It’s been a brutal week, and one that’s followed a volatile year marked by high profile assassinations, mass shootings, economic instability, and a growing gender gap between young men and women that seems to be reaching a head — all contributing to Gen Z’s compassion recession.
But last night, President Donald Trump went on national television and declared that “we’re the hottest country in the world.” 🤔
So far this month, we’ve spoken with nearly 50 Gen Zers ages 16 to 26 to get a sense of how they’re feeling about culture, tech, and politics heading into 2026.
In listening sessions and a Reality Check survey meant to gauge how our community feels about current events in real time, we tackled a range of topics — from personal finances to AI, gender relations, consumer trends, and politics.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll take you through our analysis of each, starting today with our community’s assessment of our current state of politics — a total rebuttal to Trump’s year-end address and a window into what they’re prioritizing next year.
The main takeaway: They’re tired of Trump and ready to talk about what’s next.
🔑 What You’ll Unlock: Highlights from this edition
The political figures, creators, or movements gaining traction in 2026
The issues being ignored
My analysis on a hunger for heterodoxy