Trump allies warn he could lose a critical battleground state

Several allies of Donald Trump warn that the former president could lose the critical state of Pennsylvania, citing early voting numbers that indicate high turnout among women.

Nearly 62 million early votes were cast as of Thursday evening, with the majority cast by women, 54 percent to 44 percent, according NBC News’ tracker, a trend that also translates to Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is a key battleground in this year’s election, with Trump and vice president Kamala Harris competing for crucial Electoral College votes. The Keystone State’s nineteen electoral votes – more than any other swing state – could determine the outcome of the election.

Trump narrowly won Pennsylvania in 2016 Hillary Clintonwhile chairman Joe Biden turned it around in 2020. The race in the state is expected to be decided by a few thousand votes, and both major party candidates have campaigned there repeatedly.

Trump Pennsylvania Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, speaks during a rally outside the Schnecksville Fire Hall on April 13, 2024 in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Most polls in Pennsylvania show a narrow margin between Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, with leads fluctuating within the margin of error, making the state a toss-up.

Trump allies like conservative political activist Charlie Kirk of Turning Point Action, previously posted on X TweetOn Wednesday, it emerged that early voting in Pennsylvania so far has been “disproportionately female,” adding that “if men stay home, Kamala is president.” He encouraged, “Men need to VOTE NOW.”

Newsweek contacted Harris and Trump’s campaign via email Thursday evening for comment.

Women outnumber men in casting ballots in Pennsylvania NBC News’ early voter tracker showing that as of Thursday, women accounted for about 56 percent of early votes, while men made up about 43 percent. The tracker shows that 1,625,706 mail-in and early in-person votes have already been cast in the state, with 58 percent cast by registered Democrats and 32 percent by Republicans. Voters registered by party do not necessarily vote along party lines.

Among new voters in the state, Democratic women make up the largest group, with more than 33,800 early ballots already cast.

Mike Cernovich, a social media personality and political commentator, echoed Kirk’s message, writing in a post yesterday: “The turnout of men in Pennsylvania for Trump has been a disaster. Unless this changes, Kamala Harris will take over the PA and it will be over.”

Whichever candidate wins Pennsylvania will likely secure the presidency, with Harris finding the clearest path to victory the three “Blue Wall” battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, barring any shocking results elsewhere, and Trump secure Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia.

In a second post on Thursday, he wrote: “The current MAGA narrative is: ‘Men vote on election days.’ Not in 2022, they didn’t. Certainly not YOUNG MEN who listen to podcasts like Joe Rogan. They don’t vote. GET THEM TO THIS TIME.”

Both Donald Trump and his running mate, the Ohio senator J.D. Vancehave been published separately on The Joe Rogan Experiencethe popular podcast hosted by Joe Rogan.

So far, Rogan, a podcast host, stand-up comedian and Ultimate Fighting Championship commentator, has not endorsed a presidential candidate.

His show leans more to the right and attracts a young, male audience. He often shares views with Trump, such as skepticism about COVID-19 measures, which prompted calls for Spotify to cut ties with the podcaster during the pandemic.

However, Rogan has generally avoided showing support for either Democrats or Republicansand his comments were more about expressing frustration with the political establishment.