Following the re-election of Donald Trump, College Republican groups throughout the United States are experiencing a surge in membership. Some clubs have reported doubling their numbers since the start of the fall semester.
At the Stern School of Business at New York University (NYU) in New York, where Barron Trump, the son of the re-elected president, is a freshman, weekly meeting attendance at the College Republican Club has increased from five to 40 members. Despite Barron Trump not being a member of the group, his presence on campus has sparked interest.
“This election made a lot of people more optimistic about the future of conservatism in general, I think, although [our] presence on a liberal academic campus like NYU is still generally looked down upon,” said Kaya Walker, a senior studying French and the president of NYU’s College Republican Club.
Walker acknowledged the attention surrounding the president-elect’s son, mentioning, “He’s kind of watched like a zoo animal.”
Barron Trump’s influence reaches beyond political circles. Sources describe him as being well-liked and state that “even liberal people like him.” His presence has attracted significant social media attention, with students often sharing photos of him in class.
The rise in Republican Club membership at NYU mirrors a wider trend across US universities. The Penn State chapter has seen its membership double to 200 active members this academic year. Tristin Kilgore, the vice president of Penn State College Republicans, suggests the pandemic experiences of these students partially account for Trump’s popularity.
“We were in high school, and it was a really tough time,” said Kilgore, a 20-year-old sophomore studying philosophy. “We’re not supporting the people who were in favor of keeping us away from our friends and away from our schools and setting us back in life.”
The University of Michigan’s College Republican Club, the oldest in the country, has seen membership rise by about a third, reaching 445 students. This makes it roughly half the size of the university’s Democratic Club. The chapter’s president forecasts further growth in the following months due to the new presidency.
Membership in the College Republicans at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, has significantly increased over the semester, doubling to 73 members. Neko Kady, a sophomore studying tech entrepreneurship and the club’s president, noted that the group is attracting more engagement as it sheds its image as a small, stereotypical gathering. Kady described the club’s response to the election results as one of excitement and celebration.
The College Republicans Club at the University of North Carolina reported that its membership more than doubled in the two months leading up to the election, growing from 120 to 250 members. This rise in conservative activism is becoming evident on many campuses, with students openly displaying MAGA hats in public spaces, including libraries.
Alexander Richmond, president of the University of Michigan’s College Republicans chapter, noted a shift in how first-year students are interacting with the club. He stated that many students are challenging what is commonly seen as a dominant left-leaning culture and bias on college campuses.
Richmond, a 19-year-old political science major, pointed out that while conservative freshmen usually remained silent, his club is now attracting unprecedented numbers of first-year members.
The resurgence of College Republican clubs across the country indicates a changing political dynamic on college campuses. This shift has been driven by Donald Trump’s re-election and a renewed enthusiasm for conservatism among students. From established chapters like the University of Michigan to smaller ones at Babson College, these organizations are experiencing unprecedented growth, with many doubling their memberships in months.
For a generation shaped by the challenges of the pandemic and seeking alternatives to the prevailing campus culture, these clubs are becoming a dynamic platform for political expression and community. As conservative activism continues to rise, these students are positioning themselves as a significant force shaping the future of campus politics and beyond.
