Nick Fuentes Has a Foothold...

 Younger audiences, especially Gen Z men, tend to gravitate toward online-first political figures for a mix of format, psychology, and context. Gen Z, for others like me who get a bit confused at the ages of the generations, are young people between the ages of 13 and 28. To give some insight into the mind-set of this age-coterie, let's take a look at a prime example; Nick Fuentes. Fuentes is a 27 year-old far-right political commentator and livestreamer who is the founder of the America First movement. He emerged in the late 2010's through online platforms, especially live video streams, where he blended nationalist rhetoric with provocative humor and confrontational tactics. 

Fuentes promotes a strain of white nationalism and Christian nationalism, while opposing immigration, feminism, and mainstream conservatism. He has made numerous statements widely criticized as antisemitic, racist, and misogynistic. His notoriety grew via livestreams and social media, though he has been frequently banned or restricted across major platforms for policy violations. Fuentes is a polarizing fringe figure, yet wielding significant influence within a narrow online subculture, but largely marginalized in mainstream politics. This, owing to sustained criticism, legal scrutiny around events, and platform bans. 

So, how does an uneducated, banal, bellicose young man come to occupy such a position of influence among his age group? What collection of circumstances blend and meld to make this possible? You may have heard detectives say, 'to catch a criminal, you have to think like one.' To understand the psyche of this generation, we have to get inside their heads. First, let's look at their media habits. Livestreams, memes, Discord chats feel personable and interactive. They provide real-time engagement and a sense of belonging, as opposed to passive consumption. Traditional conservatism still centers on TV, op-eds, think tanks, formats younger users rarely, if ever, seek out. 

There's a sense of rebellion against institutions. Gen Z has a tendency to distrust universities, legacy media, political parties, and corporations. Anti-establishment rhetoric feels transgressive, especially when it provokes bans or outrage. Deplatforming, which Fuentes is acutely familiar with, paradoxically increases credibility among audiences primed to distrust authority. Younger men, especially this age group, often feel economically deprived, socially sidelined, and opportunity-starved. Movements like America First offer:

• clear villains
• simple explanations
• a strong in-group identity

This contrasts with mainstream conservatism's abstract language about markets and institutions. Fuentes' style of rhetoric provides shock humor, irony and taboo language which feels riskier and more exciting, not to mention appealing, than policy debates. The line between politics and entertainment becomes blurred; controversy becomes content. Younger audiences raised on viral culture favor attention, not moderation. The online platforms they favor tend to push: highly emotional content, conflict-driven clips, and "us vs them" narratives. 

To be a part of this 'landscape', there is no need to read books, attend meetings, or understand policy. Online content can stimulate a feeling of being politically awakened. Traditional conservatism, on the other hand requires patience, historical knowledge, and gradual engagement. 

As Gen Z ages, many of these young idealists will shift their perspectives toward stability. They will come to appreciate policy over provocation. Careers and families will leave little time for online identity politics. Younger audiences aren't necessarily attracted to extremism, they're attracted to immediacy, identity and defiance. Figures like Fuentes meet those needs far more effectively than traditional conservatives, even if the appeal soon fades to an erstwhile fad.