How Gen Z is shaping US politics | DW Documentary

With state and national elections approaching in the US, the country is more divided than ever before. Also on the campaign trail are a range of young politicians fighting for office. Will they be able to overcome the growing polarization in society?

Wyatt Gable is a 22-year-old Donald Trump supporter hoping to represent the Republicans in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Sabrina Bousbar, a 27-year-old Democrat from Florida, wants to become the first woman Generation Z member of Congress. Policy-wise the two budding politicians are worlds apart. As for the presidential election between Trump and Kamala Harris: both express serious concerns about their country's future, should the candidate from the rival side win on November 5.

Like many Americans, Gable and Bousbar fear the political divide is insurmountable - a divide reflected in the respective youth and student organizations. While the right-wing populist "Turning Point USA" bangs the drum for Trump, 17-year-old William He has launched a center-left alternative movement in the shape of "Dream for America". For all that divides the camps, Gable, Bousbar and He are each hoping that the deep divisions will not worsen and tear their society apart.

What explains this polarization, and is there a way of overcoming it? Can a new generation of activists and politicians help to bridge the gulf?

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[thjbird]

When a guy tries to overthrow the government and you don’t hold him accountable, you only have yourselves to blame. There may be a horrific price paid for sacrificing the rule of law.

[hal]

The US needs to invest in education BIGLY and badly!

[MissSladousek]

"I have to get the people that actually WILL vote for me, SO..." oh wow how incredibly rude. I was interested in what he has to say until I heard this and realised he is badly mannered and uninterested in people. For him, politics is clearly just a personal aspiration rather than an actual calling. He doesnt want to change anything for the better, he wants to change things because he is annoyed at them. Those two reasons arent the same.

[jmnmilano]

10:27. First says "non-profit", then proceeds to mention "capitalism" in the same sentence describing his organization.

[mahdilamb]

I wonder how the anti-immigration/pro-American heritage folk feel about native Americans

[MikesLeague]

Turning Point USA says they are non-partisan??? 😂😂😂😂 give me a break dude.

[ContentKoan]

"Attends a local republican party meet up" *everyone breaks out into Christian prayer* lol bruh this is what our founding fathers had nightmares about

[MiddleAgedMillennial]

When that young turning point member said “like-minded”, what he really meant was “white-minded”

[echofoxtrot.]

I think US politics are ridiculous. Polarization is such a waste of time.

[katkag.]

I am not sure whether the young man who said that their rhetoric (Republican) is nowhere near as vicious as the Democrats is very delusional. I am sorry, but he really is. And I say that as an European following US politics for a long time, it was also part of my University Degree, so I've been watching US politics for 23 years now, since my Uni years. Has he ever listened to Trump supporters and their rhetoric? With all due respect, MAGA people live in their own worlds and many if not majority are not willing to even listen to reason and arguments. It's sad to watch, because Americans like to talk about their country as the greatest in the world, an example of democracy, but it's just not. And to people around the world, since you elected Donald Trump as your president in 2016, you have truly become a joke to the world. I am a Christian, but I could never get behind a man such as Donald Trump and the "values" he and his representatives represent. The old and respective Republican party gradually disappeared and Donald Trump turned it into an aggressive, vulgar, immoral and violent movement. It takes guts to admit when you are wrong about someone or something, but I do admire the Republicans who stood up and put their country over party and are voting for Harris. Good luck US!

[JoeMamasBasement]

I’m so happy to see Gen Z and younger candidates organize together. I was very disappointed with the Republican gentleman dismissing a constituent that way, how can you expect to get elected like that? But then again, North Carolina is the land of gerrymandering, and there’s always room for another Bo Hines or Madison Cawthorne; and we all know how that ended up.

[Jogie]

Donald Trump has given too many people permission to be their very worst selves

[olgadeweger]

I just want the US to stop being busy destroying other countries with their sanctions, wars and regime-changes, and instead focus on producing products they can trade with, dealing with their own problems like homelessness, infrastructure. This is what the whole world wants, an adult in office that other leaders in the world can actually have a conversation with. Please Americans, keep that in mind when you vote.

[safaaboun]

Keep going Sabrina Bousbar 🤍 We are so proud of youu 🇲🇦

[JoeMamasBasement]

24:16

I’m sorry but when you hear that old lady talking about lack of respect and polarization in this country as that party meeting of over 50 year olds stand lockstep singing the pledge of allegiance and tirades abt communism is actually so hypocritically hilarious

[stevebeschakis]

As an independent, it seems to me that the remarkable thing about the two major parties isn't their differences on relatively minor cultural issues, but their absolute congruence on issues that actually matter, like the economy, environment and foreign policy.

[millionsofmarks]

Only 17 yo but can speak and command to a room full of adults. I wish I can be like him.

[somerandomfella]

There's nothing united about the United States..

[raymondmainamugure]

China is in love with all this.
Watching while holding popcorn.

[paranoah]

Dude, you are using the word "inciteful" wrong. The first time i was wondering if I heard something wrong or you were really calling a hateful comment "insightful". I think you mean "inciting".