SHAPIRO: Democrats’ struggle with men reflects cultural disconnect

Political parties fail when they substitute stereotypes for genuine understanding.

Published Jun 13, 2026  •  Last updated 7 hours ago  •  3 minute read

Podcaster Joe Rogan. Photo by Carmen Mandato /Getty Images

One of the more revealing political developments of recent years has been the Democratic Party’s growing concern about its declining support among male voters. After years of watching men drift toward the political right, many Democrats have begun asking a simple question: Why are men leaving? The answer may be simpler than party strategists would like to admit.

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For many men, politics is not merely about policy preferences. It is also about whether they feel understood, respected and represented. Increasingly, many men feel that modern progressive politics views them less as constituents and more as problems to be solved.

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Over the past decade, much of the political and cultural conversation on the left has framed masculinity in negative terms. Men are frequently described as “toxic” or privileged, or as obstacles to social progress. While these criticisms are often directed at specific behaviours, many ordinary men hear that their role in society is being diminished or dismissed.

As a result, Democrats now face a challenge that goes beyond messaging. They are struggling to connect with a demographic they increasingly seem not to understand.

This disconnect becomes apparent in the party’s search for figures who can appeal to male voters. Progressives often ask where their version of podcast host Joe Rogan might be. Yet the question itself reveals a misunderstanding.

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Rogan does not fit neatly into traditional ideological categories. He has supported progressive candidates, entertained a wide range of viewpoints and frequently rejected partisan labels altogether. His appeal stems less from his political beliefs than from his ability to speak to audiences in a way that feels authentic and unscripted.

Rather than recognizing that authenticity, many Democrats appear to search for substitutes who mimic certain cultural aesthetics while maintaining strict ideological conformity. The result often feels forced.

The same dynamic can be seen in Texas politics, where state Rep. James Talarico has emerged as a prominent Democratic figure. Talarico presents himself as a person of faith and frequently speaks about Christianity in public life. Yet critics argue that his policy positions remain firmly aligned with progressive priorities, creating a disconnect between the image he projects and the policies he supports. Whether on issues involving transgender policies, border security, gun rights or energy production, opponents contend that Talarico’s recent rhetoric sounds more moderate than his legislative record. To those critics, the problem is not his ideology but the perception that he is attempting to package progressive policies in culturally conservative language.

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The broader issue, they argue, is that Democrats often focus on appearances rather than underlying values.

Many progressives seem to operate with a narrow understanding of masculinity. In one stereotype, the traditional man is a deeply religious cultural conservative whose identity revolves around outward displays of faith. In another, masculinity is reduced to a rough-edged, hyperaggressive caricature defined by toughness and rebellion.

Neither image captures how most men see themselves. For many conservatives, masculinity is not primarily about appearance, style or personality. It is about responsibility. A man may be a lawyer, teacher, mechanic, soldier or small-business owner. What matters is not the aesthetic but the fulfilment of duties to family, community and country.

Under this understanding, manhood is defined less by how someone looks and more by what he does. Providing for a family, protecting loved ones, serving one’s community and accepting personal responsibility are viewed as central components of masculine identity.

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Critics of modern progressivism argue that this framework creates a fundamental conflict. Contemporary left-wing politics often emphasizes individual rights and personal autonomy, while traditional concepts of masculinity emphasize obligations and responsibilities. If politics increasingly focuses on liberation from duties, it becomes more difficult to speak meaningfully to people who view duty itself as a virtue.

This may help explain why many Democratic attempts to reconnect with male voters have fallen flat. The problem is not necessarily a lack of outreach. It is that the outreach often appears to be built on assumptions that many men do not recognize. Political parties succeed when they understand the people they hope to persuade. They fail when they substitute stereotypes for genuine understanding. As Democrats continue searching for ways to rebuild support among men, they may discover that the challenge is not finding the right messenger or adopting the right aesthetic. It is understanding the values, responsibilities and aspirations that shape how many men see themselves in the first place.

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