Clay Travis has long argued that the key to Trump’s 2024 victory was his ability to galvanize a specific subset of voters — young men and sports fans — who felt alienated by what they perceived as an unfair perception of men winning in women’s sports. In his new book, Balls, Travis explores how this unique coalition contributed to Trump’s landslide win and what the future holds for the Republican Party moving forward.
One year earlier, Trump’s victory was marked by sweeping gains in swing states, a strong popular vote, and a significant shift in the political landscape. However, the question remains: how can Republicans maintain and expand the Trump MAGA coalition after Trump is no longer on the ballot for the 2026 elections?
Travis outlines key factors that fueled Trump’s win, including the cultural shift among young men and the strong support he received from male voters across diverse demographics. However, the challenge lies in translating this momentum into a sustained political movement. The article highlights a troubling trend in 2025, where Trump’s supporters, particularly young men, were largely absent from the voting booth, despite their previous enthusiasm for Trump in 2024.
Energy, Borders, and Crime (EBC) remain central to maintaining Trump’s support, especially as they resonate with the values of young men and sports fans. These issues crystallize the critique of Democratic policies, which many of Trump’s core supporters view as misguided. Moreover, the article points to other factors, such as humor and authenticity, which Travis credits as key to Trump’s appeal, especially in a political environment increasingly dominated by digital marketing and political correctness.
The piece also raises concerns about the potential ideological shift by Democrats post-2025 elections. Travis warns that if Democrats continue their stance on supporting men winning women’s sports, the same level of support may not be replicated without Trump’s personal influence. This raises questions about the long-term viability of the Trump coalition without his direct presence in the political arena.
Ultimately, the article emphasizes that for the GOP to retain its base of young male voters, they must find ways to emulate Trump’s unique ability to engage and connect with voters through authenticity and relatability. As political campaigns become increasingly dependent on technology and data, Travis suggests that genuine human interaction will become even more critical in maintaining voter trust and support.