Influence of Podcasts in 2024 Presidential Race

Juliette Lewis faced a wave of erroneous backlash from MAGA supporters after a podcast clip featuring host Jennifer Welch criticizing Donald Trump was mistakenly attributed to her. The clip went viral, leading to a barrage of negative comments directed at Lewis, despite her not being involved in the discussion. Meanwhile, podcasts have been increasingly leveraged by political candidates like Trump, who has engaged with various influencers to reach younger voters, discussing topics from debate performance to conspiracy theories about aliens. This trend highlights the growing influence of podcasting in political discourse, with some commentators noting its potential risks due to the informal nature of the medium. Critics have pointed out that traditional journalistic standards are often disregarded in these settings, leading to a more confessional and sometimes problematic style of political communication. Trump's recent podcast appearances reflect this shift, as he navigates bizarre topics and alliances with influencers in the evolving political landscape.