Veterans’ Votes: Trump Gains Ground Among Military Community in 2024 Election
In a striking reflection of shifting political allegiances, exit polls from Election Day revealed that 12% of voters in the 2024 presidential election had served in the U.S. military, with a significant 65% of them casting their ballots for Donald Trump, while 34% opted for Kamala Harris. This trend raises questions about generational divides and the evolving perspectives of younger veterans, particularly as they navigate the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and military engagement.
As the dust settles on the election, analysts are keenly observing the demographics of military voters. Some suggest that younger Republicans, especially those who have recently returned from service, are increasingly resistant to traditional party lines, often referred to as “War Party” orthodoxy. Notable figures like Vice President-elect JD Vance, a Marine veteran of Iraq, and former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has recently switched her political allegiance to the Republican Party, exemplify this shift. Gabbard has been vocal in her criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to the Ukraine conflict and Washington’s broader militaristic tendencies.
In the weeks leading up to the election, Trump revived his 2016 campaign rhetoric against “forever wars,” targeting Harris for her connections to Iraq War proponents, including Liz Cheney. This strategy appears to have resonated with many veterans, as evidenced by a September report from the Pew Research Center, which indicated that 61% of registered military voters planned to support Trump, compared to 37% for Harris. This pattern mirrors previous elections, where 60% of veterans backed Trump in 2020, while 39% supported President Joe Biden.
However, not all military voters align uniformly with Trump. A recent survey conducted by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) found that their members were “evenly split” between Harris and Trump, with 43% favoring Harris, 42% for Trump, and 15% for third-party candidates. This group, which primarily consists of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is notably diverse in educational background and political affiliation, with 90% of respondents having been deployed during those conflicts.
Historically, veterans have played a pivotal role in swing states, significantly contributing to Trump’s victories in 2016. Analysts have noted that Trump tapped into the frustrations of military communities grappling with the consequences of prolonged conflicts and inadequate support for returning service members. Despite facing criticism for his past remarks about Gold Star families and veterans like John McCain, Trump managed to forge a connection with this electorate.
The recent election results suggest that Trump may have strengthened his appeal among veterans, even in the face of opposition from former national security officials and military leaders who endorsed Harris. Dan Caldwell, a Public Policy Advisor for Defense Priorities and an Iraq War veteran, articulated the deep-seated anger within the veteran community regarding the failures of U.S. foreign and domestic policies over the past two decades. He argued that Harris’s association with figures like Liz Cheney, who represent the very policies that have caused pain for veterans, likely alienated many in the military community.
As the conversation around veterans’ voting patterns continues, questions remain about the motivations behind younger veterans’ support for Trump. Was it a reaction to perceived failures in leadership, or a broader disillusionment with the political establishment? As more data emerges, the implications of these voting trends could reshape the landscape of American politics and the relationship between veterans and the parties vying for their support.
In the coming weeks, further analysis will shed light on the dynamics at play within this critical segment of the electorate, offering insights into how veterans’ experiences and perspectives are influencing the political landscape in the United States.
