Right-wing influencers who were once united in support of US President Donald Trump are experiencing infighting and losing viewers, creating challenges for Republicans in midterm elections, according to a New York Times analysis.
The analysis found plummeting views among several prominent right-wing influencers across podcasts, YouTube, X, and Rumble. The decline is driven by splintering over the war in Iran, Israel, and the legacy of Charlie Kirk.
Audience Declines for Key Figures
Benny Johnson's YouTube views have been halved from this peak during the 2024 Trump campaign.
Benny Johnson's YouTube views have been halved from a high of 31.2 million during the 2024 Trump campaign, according to The New York Times. Dan Bongino, a former deputy director of the FBI, has seen podcast views that are roughly half of what they were in 2024, according to The New York Times.
Ben Shapiro lost approximately 60,000 YouTube subscribers between April and June this year, according to Chaotic Era. The Daily Wire, a company he co-founded, has experienced plummeting traffic and layoffs, with its influence described as having 'irrevocably collapsed' by The Washington Post.
Tucker Carlson called US President Donald Trump 'disloyal'.
Several prominent figures have criticized Trump, according to a New York Times analysis, including Joe Rogan, Alex Schultz, Tucker Carlson, Theo Von, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones. Carlson called Trump 'disloyal', Theo Von called the administration 'f****** terrorists', and Candace Owens called Trump a 'genocidal maniac'.
Diverging Fortunes and Favorability
Nick Fuentes' average weekly views rose from around one million in 2024 to this high, per The New York Times analysis.
White nationalist Nick Fuentes' average weekly views rose from around one million in 2024 to as high as eight million per week, but are currently trending down, per The New York Times analysis. It has been suggested by The New York Times analysis that 2025 views might have been an anomaly due to organic interest or artificial boosting.
Ben Shapiro is producing 50 percent more podcasts this year compared to last year, according to data from analytics company Podcasher cited by The New York Times.
Voter Perceptions
According to Overton Insights polling, Erika Kirk (head of Turning Point), Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens are viewed overwhelmingly unfavorably by voters. Candace Owens has a net favorability rating of -23 points, Erika Kirk -26 percent, and Ben Shapiro -27 percent.
