In an unconventional move to appeal to young male voters, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are set to face off in a live-streamed game of Madden football on Twitch, just nine days before the 2024 presidential election. The event, scheduled for 3 PM ET on Sunday, comes as the latest NBC News survey shows Democratic nominee Kamala Harris holding a slim two-point lead over incumbent Donald Trump among young male voters – a demographic Democrats have historically performed better with in past cycles.
A Play for the Gamer Vote
The Walz-AOC Madden matchup is part of a broader Democratic strategy to engage younger voters, particularly men, through unconventional platforms like Twitch and with messaging tailored to their interests. The Harris campaign has already run a series of ads on sports gambling site DraftKings, Yahoo Sports, and gamer-focused websites IGN and Fandom.
Earlier this month, the campaign also live-streamed a Walz rally on Twitch alongside gameplay from the popular online game World of Warcraft. Sources close to the campaign say these moves are aimed at shoring up support among a key demographic where Democrats’ advantage has narrowed compared to previous election cycles.
AOC’s Twitch Appeal
For her part, Ocasio-Cortez is no stranger to Twitch. Her first appearance on the platform in 2020 was one of the most-watched streams at the time, showcasing her ability to connect with younger audiences through gaming. Teaming up with the affable Walz, himself an avid football fan, could further boost Democrats’ relatability with this voter bloc.
“I may not be the best Madden player out there, but I’m excited to have some fun with AOC and hopefully get more young people engaged in this critical election,” Walz said in a statement ahead of the event.
Trump’s Podcast Play
The Twitch event comes on the heels of Trump’s own play for the youth vote – a three-hour appearance on Joe Rogan’s hugely popular podcast, which draws a predominantly young male audience. During the freewheeling conversation, Trump made his case for replacing income taxes with tariffs and waxed nostalgic about Confederate general Robert E. Lee, whom he called a “genius.”
Harris had been rumored to be considering an appearance with Rogan as well, but that sit-down never materialized, ceding the platform to Trump. Now, with Walz and AOC teaming up on Twitch, Democrats are hoping to counter Trump’s podcast play with their own gaming gambit.
Down to the Wire
As the campaigns enter the final stretch, both sides are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to energize supporters and sway undecided voters. And with young men emerging as a key swing demographic, unconventional outreach methods like gaming streams and podcast appearances could make the difference in a tight race.
Will Walz and AOC’s Madden matchup move the needle for Democrats? Will Trump’s Rogan rapport resonate? With just over a week to go, every play counts. For the candidates, it’s game on – both on the virtual gridiron and on the campaign trail.
