The once cheerful face of the podcast world, which was seen as a bridge to young voters, has now turned on Donald Trump in a way few expected.
Theo Von, the comedian and wildly popular host of This Past Weekend, is famous for his crude humor, big audience, and influence among young adults and male listeners. For months before the 2024 election, he was counted among the voices that helped push Donald Trump back into the White House by talking him up on social media and on podcasts.
But that has changed dramatically in the past year.
In a recent podcast episode, Von hosted Senator Bernie Sanders, the long‑time independent and progressive leader from Vermont, and the tone was strikingly different than what his audience usually hears. Sanders was there to talk about Trump’s immigration policies.
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“What Trump is using ICE for now is a domestic military operation,” Sanders said during the interview. “You don’t shoot somebody in the head who was in their car. It’s Trump saying, ‘I have the power.’ This is what Trumpism is about. It’s intimidation.”
Von did not push back.
“I agree, like, Trump has an authoritarian energy,” the comedian replied.
Von’s switch was striking because he had been a very public supporter of Trump, helping sway young voters with his jokes, interviews, and influence. His audience had long seen him as a key ally of the president.
But in the Sanders interview, Von also praised progressive figures and ideas that stand in stark contrast to Trump’s policies. He highlighted the value of a third political party and spoke positively about voices like Rep. Ro Khanna, a leading progressive in Congress.
For many people paying attention, this was more than a simple debate. It was symbolic of a broader shift that has been quietly brewing for months among the so‑called manosphere, the network of popular male‑oriented podcasts and online shows that once stood firmly behind Trump.
Recent reports show that several popular podcasters and creators are starting to question Trump’s leadership, especially on immigration, foreign policy, and civil rights. Von’s move isn’t the first sign of cracks, others in the space have also pulled back after feeling Trump didn’t deliver on promises or pushed policies they couldn’t support.
By the end of the 77‑minute interview, Sanders thanked Von for hosting him, and Von responded with an almost reflective line: “We’re trying, man. You know, it’s… I’m learning as I go.”
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
