Democrats lead Republicans 57%-40% on the generic ballot among male likely voters ages 18-30, according to a new Cygnal poll, reversing the GOP's gains among young men in 2024. President Donald Trump narrowly carried young men in 2024, according to exit polls, but his favorability among the demographic is now 38% favorable to 55% unfavorable. Republicans have a net favorability rating of minus 9 points, with 40% viewing the party favorably and 49% unfavorably. Among all registered voters surveyed, including those least likely to vote in November, Democrats lead 44%-41%. The 800 respondents overwhelmingly cite inflation, the cost of living and housing affordability as their leading concerns, while lowering consumer and housing costs and cutting taxes are the policies they say would most improve their lives. The poll also finds institutional pessimism among young men and weak ratings for Vice President JD Vance, whose favorability is 37% with a net rating of minus 10, while Trump's net favorability is minus 17. Republicans targeted young men and low-propensity voters through Trump's appearances with popular podcast hosts and influencers in 2024, but he has not broadly returned to those forums ahead of the midterms. Pollster and principal at Cygnal Alex Tarascio said Trump's reappearance could help some voters but could backfire with others. The survey was conducted Sept. 15-18 among 800 registered male voters ages 18-30, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points.