Following the re-election of Donald Trump, College Republican clubs throughout the United States have reported considerable growth in membership. Some chapters have seen their numbers double since the academic year began.
The College Republican Club at New York University (NYU) in New York, where the president-elect’s son, Barron Trump, is a freshman at the Stern School of Business, has experienced a significant increase in weekly meeting attendance, from five to 40 members. Despite Barron Trump’s noticeable presence on campus, he is not affiliated with the organization.
“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,” stated Kaya Walker, president of NYU’s College Republican Club and a senior majoring in French.
Walker acknowledges the intrigue surrounding Barron Trump, comparing the attention he draws to that of a “zoo animal”.
The younger Trump’s influence is not limited to political spheres. Sources indicate that he is “popular with the ladies” and even earns the respect of more liberal-minded individuals. His presence on campus frequently sparks social media posts featuring him in academic settings.
The growth in NYU’s Republican Club mirrors a larger trend across universities in the nation. The Penn State chapter has seen its membership double to 200 active members this academic year. Tristin Kilgore, vice president of Penn State College Republicans, links part of the current student body’s support for Trump to their experiences during the pandemic.
“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 chapter, the nation’s oldest College Republican Club established in 1892, has seen about a third increase in membership, reaching 445 students. This figure amounts to nearly half of the university’s Democratic Club’s size. The chapter’s president anticipates further expansion with the onset of the new presidency.
Alexander Richmond, president of the University of Michigan’s College Republicans chapter, noticed a shift in how first-year students are interacting with the club. He noted that many students are challenging the commonly perceived left-leaning bias on college campuses.
Richmond, a political science major aged 19, pointed out that while traditionally conservative first-year students tended to remain silent, his club is now attracting a record number of these students.
Membership in the College Republicans at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, has significantly grown over the semester, doubling to 73 members. Club president Neko Kady, a sophomore studying tech entrepreneurship, noted that the group is attracting more engagement as people recognize it as more than a stereotypical small gathering. The club’s response to the election results was one of excitement and celebration.
The College Republicans Club at the University of North Carolina saw its membership more than double in the two months leading up to the election, from 120 to 250 members. The rise in conservative activism is becoming evident on many campuses, with students openly donning MAGA hats in public spaces, including libraries.
The increase in College Republican club memberships nationwide underscores a shifting political dynamic on college campuses, powered by Trump’s re-election and a newfound surge of conservative enthusiasm among students. From long-standing chapters like the University of Michigan to smaller ones like Babson College, these organizations are witnessing unprecedented growth, with many doubling their memberships within months.
These clubs are emerging as a dynamic channel for political expression and community for a generation shaped by the pandemic and seeking alternatives to the prevailing campus culture. With the rise in conservative activism, these students are positioning themselves as a potent force capable of influencing future campus politics and beyond.
