The 2024 U.S. presidential election resembles a political thriller, marked by candidate changes, backroom dealings, and foiled assassination attempts, ultimately culminating in the return of the convicted Donald Trump to the White House. According to The Economist, the rise of Millennials and Generation Z (born between 1981 and 2006) plays a critical role in this dramatic election. Initially supporting Trump, these young voters are increasingly dissatisfied with his presidency due to a series of controversial policies.

Historically, Millennials and Generation Z have been seen as the Democratic Party's foundational supporters due to their generally higher education levels and greater ethnic diversity. However, The Economist reports that these young voters show considerable variability and lack firm loyalty to parties, making them susceptible to political persuasion. A recent report from the left-leaning data firm Catalist indicates a decline in young voters supporting Democrats. In 2024, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris's support among Millennials and Gen Z has dropped by 12 percentage points compared to Biden’s 2020 advantage, showing a larger shift than among older age groups.

Concurrently, Trump's support among young voters has risen by 6 percentage points, primarily drawing from these demographics. Moreover, the loss of young Black and Latino voters poses a significant concern for the Democratic Party. While Democrats hoped a more diverse pool of young voters would maintain their political advantage, recent data shows that these voters are the most dramatically shifting. White voters aged 18 to 44 are leaning towards Trump by 4.6 percentage points, with Black voters leaning by 14.6 points and Latino voters by 22.6 points. This is particularly impactful, given that nearly one-third of Millennials and Gen Z are non-white, significantly higher than older voter demographics.