Overview of Why is Gen Z Going "Doomer"? (The Charlie Kirk Show)
This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show (Hour Two) features interviews and panel segments exploring why many Gen Zers are increasingly pessimistic ("doomerism"). Host Andrew Colvin and guests — Congressman Byron Donalds, Turning Point chapter leaders Dino Fantagrasi (University of Arkansas) and Brady Salmon (University of Kentucky), plus other show segments — discuss youth political energy, policy grievances driving Gen Z frustration (especially H‑1B visas, housing affordability, and perceived loss of national sovereignty), and how social media algorithms amplify certain issues (notably Israel). The show also touches on Florida policy (homestead property tax repeal, housing permitting), a controversial video urging military refusal of “illegal orders,” and Turning Point student activism growth after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Key topics covered
- Gen Z "doomerism" — causes and manifestations
- H‑1B visas and perceptions of job displacement for U.S. graduates
- Housing affordability and policy levers (homestead tax repeal, permitting reform, supply)
- Florida politics: Byron Donalds on homestead tax repeal and housing
- Campus activism: Turning Point chapter growth and events
- Israel/Palestine debate and its outsized presence among youth online
- A video of lawmakers encouraging military defiance of “illegal orders” and constitutional concerns
- Social media’s role (algorithms, engagement, and possible foreign bots)
- Sponsors/ad reads (Y-Refi, TikTok, pre-born)
Main takeaways
- Gen Z doomerism is real and multifaceted: participants describe a pervasive sense that economic and geopolitical systems won’t deliver for their generation. Key drivers named are:
- Perceived job displacement via H‑1B visas and rising automation/AI.
- Housing unaffordability and high up‑front costs (property tax escrow at closing).
- Distrust of elites, institutions, and foreign policy priorities that appear to ignore domestic struggles.
- H‑1B visas are front-and-center on campuses: students report frustration that entry‑level H‑1B admissions and corporate practices undercut domestic hiring, fueling political anger more than some abstract foreign‑aid debates.
- Housing solutions emphasized:
- Byron Donalds supports repealing homestead property taxes philosophically but warns a concrete funding plan is needed to avoid hollowing out local services (police, fire, schools).
- Supply-side fixes are vital: streamline permitting/planning (reducing 18–30 month permit delays), cut regulatory/material-cost drivers, and build at scale to relieve price pressure.
- Israel/Palestine occupies outsized attention online: campus participants say support for Israel is currently low among students; algorithms and a loosening of former taboos have amplified debate, making the issue a lightning rod for moral outrage and ideological signaling.
- Social media dynamics: algorithms accelerate polarizing content (and engagement optics), sometimes amplifying bot activity and giving issues disproportionate prominence among youth.
- Constitutional concern over military defiance messaging: a clip of lawmakers urging service members to refuse “illegal orders” prompted alarm about normalizing military refusal in politically charged contexts — hosts frame it as potentially provocative and constitutionally risky.
- Campus activism is strong post-Charlie: Turning Point chapters report rapid growth, energized enrollment and events, and a renewed focus on recruiting and local activism.
Notable quotes & highlights
- Byron Donalds on homestead taxes: “You shouldn’t have to rent, essentially, have to pay a lease or a fee to the government for you to be able to keep your property.”
- On permitting delays: “If you're going to build a single family home, it takes anywhere from 18 months to two and a half years of permitting before you can put a shovel in the ground.”
- Dino (U of Arkansas) on doomerism: “Doomerism... is the idea that everything sucks, it’s never going to get better.”
- Brady (U of Kentucky) on what Gen Z cares about: “Young people are very passionate about American sovereignty.”
Actionable recommendations (for policymakers, activists, and campus organizers)
- For policymakers:
- Produce and publicize a clear, funded plan for any homestead tax repeal to ensure local services aren’t cut and younger buyers aren’t saddled with shifted burdens.
- Prioritize permitting reform and regulatory review to reduce construction lag and material costs.
- Review H‑1B policy with focus on transparency (job-level data, wage floors) and protections for entry‑level domestic hiring.
- For campus organizers & advocates:
- Channel Gen Z energy into concrete, local campaigns (housing policy, state-level reform, voter engagement).
- Counter online polarization by promoting civic literacy and clear policy framing (explain how policies directly affect students’ economic prospects).
- For consumers and voters:
- Look past algorithmic outrage cycles: verify sources, seek policy details vs. hot takes, and translate online energy into local civic action.
Who should listen and why
- Students and campus activists — for validating trends on youth political engagement and concrete organizing advice.
- Policymakers at state/local level — for insight into youth priorities (housing, jobs) and political consequences.
- Political strategists and commentators — to understand why H‑1B and sovereignty discourse resonates with Gen Z.
- Anyone tracking social media influence on political priorities — for examples of how algorithms and engagement shape issue salience.
Short summary (one-paragraph)
The show examines why many Gen Zers are feeling pessimistic — "doomerism" — attributing it to job insecurity (H‑1B visas and automation), housing unaffordability, and a sense that elites prioritize foreign policy over domestic welfare. Guests argue for concrete policy fixes (homestead tax repeal with funding plans, permitting reform, building more housing) while warning social media algorithms and polarized online ecosystems amplify outrage (notably around Israel). Campus Turning Point chapters report rapid growth and energized youth engagement despite these frustrations.