WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn’t think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump’s campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president’s pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer’s YouTube channel series to shoot an under-50 round of golf while engaging in chitchat with his partner. “I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn’t be a good president,” said the 18-year-old first-time voter. “I think he’s a great guy now.” Verhaeghe isn't alone among his friends in suburban Detroit or young men across America. Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that swung sharply toward Trump. More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, while Democrat Joe Biden had won a similar share of this group four years earlier. White men under 30 were solidly in Trump’s camp this year — about 6 in 10 voted for Trump — while young Latino men were split between the two candidates. Most Black men under 30 supported Democrat Kamala Harris, but about one-third were behind Trump. Young Latino men’s views of the Democratic Party were much more negative than in 2020, while young Black men’s views of the party didn’t really move. About 6 in 10 Latino men under 30 had a somewhat or very favorable view of the Democrats in 2020, which fell to about 4 in 10 this year. On the other hand, about two-thirds of young Black men had a favorable view of the Democrats this year, which was almost identical to how they saw the party four years ago. “Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued," said Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group that focused on reaching young Hispanic voters for Republicans this year. “They're looking for someone who fights for them, who sees their potential and not just their struggles.” Struve cited the attempted assassination of Trump during a July rally in Pennsylvania as one of the catalyzing moments for Trump’s image among many young men. Trump, Struve said, was also able to reach young men more effectively by focusing on nontraditional platforms like podcasts and digital media outlets. “Getting to hear from Trump directly, I think, really made all the difference," Struve said of the former president's appearances on digital media platforms and media catering to Latino communities, like town halls and business roundtables Trump attended in Las Vegas and Miami. Not only did Trump spend three hours on Joe Rogan's chart-topping podcast, but he took up DeChambeau's “Break 50” challenge for the golfer's more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Trump already had an edge among young white men four years ago, although he widened the gap this year. About half of white men under 30 supported Trump in 2020, and slightly less than half supported Biden. Trump's gains among young Latino and Black men were bigger. His support among both groups increased by about 20 percentage points, according to AP VoteCast — and their feelings toward Trump got warmer, too. It wasn’t just Trump. The share of young men who identified as Republicans in 2024 rose as well, mostly aligning with support for Trump across all three groups. “What is most alarming to me is that the election is clear that America has shifted right by a lot,” said William He, founder of Dream For America, a liberal group that works to turn out young voters and supported Harris’ presidential bid. With his bombastic demeanor and a policy agenda centered on a more macho understanding of culture , Trump framed much of his campaign as a pitch to men who felt scorned by the country’s economy, culture and political system. Young women also slightly swung toward the former president, though not to the degree of their male counterparts. It's unclear how many men simply did not vote this year. But there's no doubt the last four years brought changes in youth culture and how political campaigns set out to reach younger voters. Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign rolled out policy agendas tailored to Black and Latino men, and the campaign enlisted a range of leaders in Black and Hispanic communities to make the case for the vice president. Her campaign began with a flurry of enthusiasm from many young voters, epitomized in memes and the campaign's embrace of pop culture trends like the pop star Charli XCX's “brat” aesthetic . Democrats hoped to channel that energy into their youth voter mobilization efforts. “I think most young voters just didn’t hear the message,” said Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, a liberal group that engages younger voters. Mayer said the Harris campaign’s pitch to the country was “largely convoluted” and centered on economic messaging that he said wasn’t easily conveyed to younger voters who were not already coming to political media. “And I think that the policies themselves were also very narrow and targeted when what we really needed was a simple, bold economic vision,” said Mayer. Trump also embraced pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games and appearing alongside comedians, music stars and social media influencers. His strategists believed that the former president’s ability to grab attention and make his remarks go viral did more for the campaign than paid advertisements or traditional media appearances. Trump's campaign also heavily cultivated networks of online conservative platforms and personalities supportive of him while also engaging a broader universe of podcasts, streaming sites, digital media channels and meme pages open to hearing him. “The right has been wildly successful in infiltrating youth political culture online and on campus in the last couple of years, thus radicalizing young people towards extremism,” said He, who cited conservative activist groups like Turning Point USA as having an outsize impact in online discourse. “And Democrats have been running campaigns in a very old fashioned way. The battleground these days is cultural and increasingly on the internet.” Republicans may lose their broad support if they don't deliver on improving Americans' lives, Struve cautioned. Young men, especially, may drift from the party in a post-Trump era if the party loses the president-elect's authenticity and bravado. Bienvenido, for one group, will double down in the coming years to solidify and accelerate the voting pattern shifts seen this year, Struve said. “We don’t want this to be a one and done thing,” he said. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, and AP polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report.
On-Chain Enterprise Platform Atua AI (TUA) Incorporates Ripple XRP for Advanced Decentralized Operations
BASHAR al-Assad's 24-year rule over Syria has finally crumbled, marking the end of a regime infamous for its heinous crimes and devastating legacy. Once hailed as a potential reformer, Assad’s journey from a soft-spoken London-trained eye doctor to one of the most brutal dictators of the 21st century is a chilling tale of power corruption. Advertisement 15 Bashar al-Assad's rule over Syria has finally crumbled after 24 years Credit: AP:Associated Press 15 His regime notorious for its brutality, including chemical attacks on children Credit: EPA 15 Assad has now fled to Moscow to stay safe under the wing of evil pal Vladimir Putin Credit: Reuters 15 The Syrian tyrant's rule was also marked by bloody war such as the 2015 civil war Credit: AP:Associated Press Assad’s rule over Syria ended in dramatic fashion after rebel f orces stormed Damascus in a surprise offensive , forcing the dictator to flee to Russia. This marked the conclusion of a regime notorious for its brutality, including chemical attacks, mass detentions, and the decimation of Syrian cities. Born in 1965 to Hafez al-Assad, Syria’s iron-fisted leader, Bashar grew up as the unassuming third son in a political dynasty. He seemed destined for a quiet life in medicine, even earning the nickname “geeky IT guy” while specialising in ophthalmology in London. Advertisement Read more on Syria FREE AT LAST Moment TODDLER is freed from jail by Syria's rebels as thousands walk free SEIZING POWER Syria's PM frogmarched from home by rebels to hand over power as Assad ousted His life took a dramatic turn in 1994 when his elder brother, Bassel, the family’s chosen heir, died in a car accident. Bashar was abruptly recalled to Syria and groomed for power. When Hafez died in 2000, the Syrian parliament amended the constitution to lower the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34, enabling the younger Assad to assume power. Head of Hafez al-Assad Statue Dragged Through Streets of Hama after Syrian rebel takeover 15 A young Bashar (second from top left) pictured with his parents and brothers Credit: Getty - Contributor Advertisement 15 In power since 2000, Assad was close with fellow dictatorial leaders such as Hugo Chavez from Venezuela (left) Credit: Rex 15 Assad at first had several supporters as he made hopeful promises to Syria Credit: AP:Associated Press Initially, hope stirred for reform as Bashar promised modernisation, anti-corruption measures, and political openness. Most read in The Sun STREET ATTACK Manhunt launched after girl, 15, sexually assaulted at Scots bus stop DIFFERENT LEAGUE Rangers boss Clement told 'don't make excuses' after surprising admission STRICKEN STAR Michail Antonio undergoes surgery on broken leg after horror car crash Latest CITY CENTRE DRAMA Police lock down busy street in major Scots city after person hit by bus But the so-called “Damascus Spring” was short-lived. Advertisement Within a year, Assad cracked down on dissenters, signalling the beginning of his authoritarian rule. THE DESCENT INTO TYRANNY The Assad regime quickly devolved into a kleptocracy, with Assad and his extended family siphoning wealth while suppressing opposition. Corruption ran rampant, and citizens chafed under economic stagnation and police-state oppression. In 2011, when the Arab Spring ignited hope for change across the Middle East, Assad’s government responded to peaceful pro-democracy protests with violence. Advertisement The brutal suppression in Daraa, where security forces tortured children and fired on unarmed demonstrators, sparked nationwide outrage. Assad’s response was devastating: he unleashed his military on civilians, transforming protests into an all-out civil war. His forces targeted hospitals, schools, and marketplaces with barrel bombs and chemical weapons. The 2013 sarin gas attack on Ghouta left hundreds dead and cemented Assad's reputation as a war criminal. Advertisement A WAR OF ATTRITION The Syrian Civil War became a geopolitical quagmire. Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, portrayed himself as a bulwark against terrorism while cynically releasing jihadist prisoners to bolster extremist factions. This fuelled the rise of groups like ISIS, reshaping global terror. By 2015, Assad’s regime controlled only 10 per cent of Syria. Advertisement 15 But the tyrant soon revealed himself as he drove the nation into decades of despair Credit: Rex 15 Security forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad are seen during a field exercise at an undisclosed location in 2013 Credit: Reuters 15 A Syrian youth walks over the rubble of a destroyed house in Al-Bab in the northern province of Aleppo in 2012 Credit: AFP 15 Smoke rising from the site of bomb explosion in Damascus, Syria, in 2012 Credit: Anadolu Advertisement It was Russia’s military intervention, with relentless airstrikes under the guise of fighting terrorism, that turned the tide. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei propped up Assad, ensuring his survival even as Syria became a battleground for international powers. Despite gaining the upper hand, Assad’s methods hollowed out Syria. Cities like Aleppo and Homs were reduced to rubble, over half the population was displaced, and hundreds of thousands perished. Advertisement The United Nations accused Assad of widespread atrocities, from systematic torture in government prisons to indiscriminate bombings. ASSAD'S DOWNFALL The end of Assad’s reign came abruptly in December 2024, as rebel forces launched a lightning offensive , exploiting weakened Syrian defences. Rebels captured Damascus in a lightning campaign, declaring the capital “free” and marking the end of years of brutal authoritarian rule. With Russia mired in Ukraine and Iran preoccupied with regional conflicts, Assad’s regime was left vulnerable. Advertisement Rebels stormed Aleppo, marking a symbolic victory, and Assad fled Damascus. Assad left aboard a military plane amid rumours of its crash before resurfacing in Moscow, where Vladimir Putin granted him asylum. Meanwhile, opposition forces took control of key cities, toppled Assad’s statues, and announced plans for a transitional government. The fall of Assad deals a blow to allies Russia and Iran, with both withdrawing assets from Syria. Advertisement 15 Assad pictured in Romania in 2010, 14 years before his regime was toppled by rebels Credit: EPA 15 A person waves a Syrian opposition flag as people celebrate at Masnaa Border Crossing, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024 Credit: Reuters 15 Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria Credit: AFP Challenges remain as Syrians celebrate, but hopes rise for a democratic future after years of war. Advertisement His fall not only signals the collapse of a dynastic dictatorship but also underscores the cost of clinging to power through terror. Bashar al-Assad has left behind a shattered nation. He decimated Syria’s infrastructure, fractured its society, and plunged millions into despair. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'vicious circle' I live in Scotland's benefits hotspot -I've only worked 4 years of my life SPLIT THE PACK I'm one of the best ever snooker stars but I wouldn't be if I was born later Syria became synonymous with human suffering, and Assad’s name will forever be tied to some of the worst war crimes of the modern era. Advertisement The man once seen as a modernising reformer will be remembered instead as a symbol of unchecked brutality, his legacy written in the blood of his own people. 15
Betty White Forever: New stamp will honor the much-beloved 'Golden Girls' actorOusted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russia media say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The reports came hours after a stunning rebel advance swept into Damascus to cheers and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire, joyful after a stifling, nearly 14-year civil war. But the swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country still split among armed factions. One rebel commander said “we will not deal with people the way the Assad family did." The fall of Bashar Assad after 13 years of war in Syria brings to an end a decades-long dynasty BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled the country. Assad’s departure on Sunday brings to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Assad’s exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syria’s unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his father’s iron grip. But faced with protests of his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to his father's brutal tactics to crush dissent. A long stalemate was quickly broken when opposition groups in northwest Syria launched a surprise offensive late last month. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday outside of a hotel in Manhattan. Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defense chief over martial law imposition SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors have detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Local media say that ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared on Sunday at a Seoul prosecutors’ office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained. A law enforcement official says Kim was later sent to a Seoul detention facility. Kim's detention came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. Gaza health officials say latest Israeli airstrikes kill at least 14 including children DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have killed at least 14 people including children, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza has wounded a half-dozen patients. Israel’s military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon. That's according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. First 12-team College Football Playoff set, Oregon seeded No. 1 and SMU edges Alabama for last spot SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs (11-2), losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama (9-3) of the SEC but one fewer loss. The first-of-its-kind 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.
