Tim Walz and AOC Engage Young Voters Through Madden Gaming Stream

 

Vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to the gaming world on Sunday, streaming a friendly showdown in the latest Madden NFL video game as part of their campaign efforts to rally support from young male voters just nine days before the pivotal White House election.

During their lively stream, which attracted approximately 12,000 viewers, the two Democrats emphasized the critical need to reclaim Democratic control of the U.S. House, retain a majority in the Senate, and ensure that Kamala Harris secures a victory against Donald Trump in the upcoming election on November 5.

Ocasio-Cortez expressed the urgency of defeating Trump, stating, “We don’t all share the same politics, we don’t all share the same views, but the need to defeat Trump this year has been my number one priority.” She reiterated concerns about Trump’s leadership style, characterizing him as an “aspiring authoritarian ruler” whose policies contribute to the escalating climate crisis. The Congresswoman also criticized media moguls, noting that billionaire owners of major publications like the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post obstructed editorial endorsements for Harris, labeling it a "plutocracy mask-off moment."

The gaming session came about after Walz, who previously coached football and has a history with video games dating back to the original Pac-Man, reached out to Ocasio-Cortez. The two opted for Madden due to Walz’s familiarity with the game from playing it with his children.

The stream took place before Walz attended a campaign rally in Nevada and followed a recent NBC News survey indicating that Harris held a slim two-point lead over Trump among young male registered voters. Despite this slight advantage, historical data shows that Democrats have typically performed better in this demographic, prompting concerns within the party.

Adding to the competitive atmosphere, Trump's campaign had made headlines by having the former president guest on Joe Rogan’s podcast, a platform popular among young men. During his appearance, Trump discussed various controversial topics, including replacing income tax with tariffs and praising Confederate general Robert E. Lee.

Ocasio-Cortez’s Twitch appearance was reminiscent of her highly viewed 2020 stream, which coincided with Trump’s eventual defeat by Joe Biden. Additionally, the Harris campaign had recently leveraged Twitch for a live-streamed rally featuring Walz and World of Warcraft gameplay to engage younger audiences.

To further connect with young male voters, the Harris campaign has also rolled out targeted advertisements on platforms like DraftKings and Yahoo Sports, as well as on gaming sites such as IGN and Fandom, showcasing their commitment to reaching this vital demographic ahead of the upcoming election.