The politics of Gen Z

August 29, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

In a 2024 survey by the research firm Murmuration, nearly 30 percent of Americans under 30 chose “none of the above” when presented with a list of standard political labels—Democratic Socialist, Liberal, Moderate, America First. The same survey found that only 28 percent of 18-to-30-year-olds said they could cover a $500 unexpected expense with cash or savings. And it revealed a 17-point gender gap in support for the Democratic presidential candidate, the widest of any age cohort. These are the top-line numbers, but they point to a more complicated story about a generation that researcher Rachel Janfaza, founder of the firm The Up and Up, has been studying through focus groups and interviews. On an episode of America Actually (part of the Today, Explained podcast network), host E. Herndon spoke with Janfaza about what is really driving Gen Z’s political behavior—and where the common narratives get it wrong.

The Two Gen Zs: A Pandemic Divide

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Introduction: The Gen Z Paradox** - Host Fabiola Cineas frames the episode by listing contradictory Gen Z stereotypes (loving wired headphones, hating the laughing emoji, being healthier yet politically independent).
2 (02:43) **Three Key Data Points from Murmuration** - The host previews the data partnership with Murmuration, highlighting three major findings about Americans under 30.
3 (04:39) **The Theory of Two Gen Zs** - Janfaza explains her "theory of the two Gen Zs," defined by the pandemic as a dividing line.
4 (09:48) **From Activism to Individualism** - Janfaza describes the shift from collective hope to individual survival among Gen Z 2.0.
5 (11:14) **Institutional Distrust: The Core Driver** - The host highlights Murmuration's finding that only 9% of young adults believe government explanations for major events are usually accurate.
6 (14:41) **The New News Diet: Verification Over Trust** - The host notes that only 8% of 18-30 year olds trust mainstream news, and asks if this trust is being displaced by unreliable sources like TikTok.
7 (17:26) **The Algorithm Backlash: The "IRL Summer"** - Janfaza discusses a growing rejection of algorithmic curation, evidenced by a movement toward in-person community.

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Show Notes

What’s up with the kids these days? We asked a Gen Z researcher to explain her generation’s politics.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

An attendee wears a Vote hair accessory during a debate watch party with the Miami-Dade Young Democrats. Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images