Key Takeaways:

  • Gen Z (ages 13–28) now makes up 31% of X’s daily users—a huge shift in who’s driving the platform’s growth.
  • Young users flock to X for authenticity, humor, memes, and real-time news, ditching traditional media like TV/news sites.
  • By 2030, Gen Z is expected to control $36 trillion in spending power, making them a key audience for brands.

Why Gen Z Loves X

  1. No Scripts, No Filters
    • Gen Z prefers raw, unpolished content (like podcasts or casual posts) over rehearsed corporate messaging.
    • Example: Joe Rogan’s long-form, unscripted podcasts spiked in popularity during recent elections.
  2. Memes & Real-Time Trends
    • Memes and trending topics help Gen Z engage with news and culture in a relatable, shareable way.
  3. Free Speech & Transparency
    • X is seen as a space with fewer restrictions, contrasting with traditional media accused of censorship and spreading misinformation (e.g., COVID origins, Hunter Biden’s laptop).

Why Traditional Media is Losing

  • Trust Issues: Many Americans, especially Gen Z, distrust “old-school” media outlets, blaming them for:
    • Pushing biased narratives.
    • Ignoring or censoring stories that don’t fit their agenda.
    • Supporting policies that led to “endless wars” or economic struggles.
  • Tech-Savvy Gen Z: Younger audiences use apps and algorithms to find info instantly, bypassing newspapers or TV.

What’s Next?

  • X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino says the platform’s future is bright because it adapts to how Gen Z consumes content.
  • Bigger Cultural Shift: The “Overton Window” (what’s considered acceptable to discuss publicly) is moving as Gen Z demands more openness.
  • Power Struggle: Elites (like those at Davos/World Economic Forum) are losing influence as grassroots movements grow.

Critics Warn: Some argue X’s free-speech approach could spread misinformation. Others see it as a needed alternative to rigid media systems.

Bottom Line: Gen Z is reshaping media—and X is cashing in by giving them what they want: realness, laughs, and a voice.

Visualize This: Imagine a seesaw—Gen Z and X on one side, traditional media on the other. The weight of $36 trillion is tipping the scale. 💰🔥