In the quest to connect with Generation Z voters, former President Donald Trump is leveraging the digital acumen of his youngest son, Barron Trump, 18, and his close friend, the 17-year-old influencer Bo Loudon.
These tech-savvy teenagers are providing the 78-year-old political figure with insights into the world of online influencers and streamers, who command the attention of millions of followers.
According to the Daily Mail, Barron and Bo are effectively functioning as a social media outreach team, introducing Trump to online personalities who may be unfamiliar to his older aides. The pair were instrumental in arranging Trump's recent 90-minute interview with Kick influencer Adin Ross, which was viewed live by half a million people and reportedly reached a total of 100 million listeners via Trump's Truth Social account.
The young duo has also encouraged Trump to establish relationships with their favorite content creators, including YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and billionaire business mogul Patrick Bet-David, host of the PBD podcast. "Trump rates the boys and sees their input as an asset," a source told the Daily Mail. "He has no issues turning to them for advice on a subject that many of his middle-aged campaign aides wouldn't have much of a clue about."
Bo Loudon, an emerging conservative influencer, is the son of television personality Dr. Gina Loudon and her husband, former Missouri GOP state senator John William Loudon. The Loudon family, who are well-connected members of Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach residence, often see Bo and Barron enjoying their time together while the adults attend upscale events.
The two teenagers, described as "inseparable," prefer engaging in serious discussions about business and politics over typical teenage activities like sports and concerts. However, they are not immune to the occasional mishap. A friend revealed to the Daily Mail that Bo once caused a 911 emergency at Mar-a-Lago when he slipped and broke his arm, requiring surgery.
While Barron has generally avoided the public eye during and after Trump's presidency, Bo has accumulated nearly 350,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, where he frequently posts pro-Trump content and critiques of the mainstream media. His social media profiles feature photos with leading conservatives such as Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, and UFC mogul Dana White.
"Bo is determined to win more of Gen Z for Trump. He even got in trouble once at school for wearing so much Trump gear," a source said of the young influencer, who is about to enter his senior year. "The boys are business-minded, they're patriots. But they are also normal, good kids who are finding their way."
Since Barron turned 18 in March, his mother, Melania Trump, has allowed him more freedom to support his father's campaign. One of his first actions was to collaborate with Bo to host a 'power summit' banquet for Bet-David, MMA fighter Colby Covington, and entrepreneur Justin Waller, a business partner of internet personality Andrew Tate. The guests were impressed by the boys' business acumen and social skills, with Bet-David praising Barron as a "freaking stud of a kid."
The next item on the agenda for Barron and Bo was to introduce Trump to high-profile streamers they follow on platforms like Twitch, Kick, and TikTok. Influencer Adin Ross recently visited Palm Beach and presented Trump with a customized Tesla Cybertruck and a Rolex watch, a stunt that quickly went viral despite criticisms of campaign finance violations.
"Trump asked me how I was doing, double-checked about five times if I got a photo, made sure everyone knew that I'm best friends with his son Barron, and told them all how great my mom and I are," Bo tweeted after the event. "Trump truly has the biggest heart ever. Gen Z Stands With Trump!"
Insiders have hinted that Barron and Bo have more innovative plans to present to Trump in the coming weeks. The former President, who has shown a keen interest in new technologies and ways to share his vision, is expected to be receptive to their ideas. On Monday, he is scheduled to conduct a "major interview" with Elon Musk, according to an announcement on Truth Social. Trump has also shown support for the crypto industry and has ventured into nonfungible digital tokens (NFTs), selling a range of digital playing cards for nearly $4.5 million.
As one supporter noted, "Donald Trump is just someone who is perpetually curious about new technologies and new ways to meet people and share his vision. He listens to everyone, no matter their race, demo, orientation, religion or their age." This openness to new ideas and perspectives, coupled with the digital savvy of Barron and Bo, may prove instrumental in Trump's efforts to connect with the younger generation.
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