meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Let's Find Common Ground

Why Trump is Popular in Small-Town America: Salena Zito

Let's Find Common Ground

USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future

News, Trump, Opinion, Usc, California, Polls, Debates, Strategists, University, Education, Government, Universitysoutherncalifornia, America, Presidential, Dornsife, Bipartisanship, School, Democrat, Primaries, Elections, Shrum, Primary, News Commentary, Republican, Analysis, General, Polarization, International, Journalists, Federal, Commentary, Election, National, Conversation, Race, Centerpoliticalfuture, Conversations, Murphy, Moderator, Political, Coverage, Biden, Podcast, Politics

52.7K Ratings

🗓️ 9 May 2024

⏱️ 27 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Unlike the vast majority of journalists who cover American politics, Salena Zito lives far away from the centers of power and wealth. She writes about small-town America and the parts of the country that much of the media doesn’t cover. Zito's commitment to understanding the heartland of America is evident in her frequent trips along the nation’s back roads. She drives thousands of miles, avoiding interstates and major cities, to grasp the pulse of rural and small-town AmericaHer insights about American voters are especially valuable in this election year. In this podcast, we learn why so many people who live in rural and small-town America support Donald Trump and the populist coalition that reshaped the Republican Party. Salena Zito writes columns and reports on politics for the Washington Examiner, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and the New York Post. She is coauthor of "The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics.”

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Unlike the great majority of journalists who cover American politics,

0:05.0

Selina Zito lives far away from the centers of power and wealth.

0:10.0

Some would argue that she lives in the middle of nowhere in flyover country.

0:15.0

But Selina says, this is America.

0:18.0

Everywhere is the middle of somewhere.

0:21.0

When you get out there, it is energizing.

0:24.8

It is wonderful.

0:26.3

I mean, that doesn't mean there's not sadness or despair or problems.

0:31.2

However, that American spirit of wanting to be part of something bigger than themselves

0:39.2

is evident in everything that you say. This is

0:58.0

let's find common ground. I'm Richard Davies.

1:01.0

And I'm Ashley Meltite.

1:03.0

Political reporter Selina Zito writes about small town America

1:07.0

and the part of the country that much of the media doesn't cover.

1:10.0

She leaves her home in Western Pennsylvania and drives thousands of miles across the

1:15.0

country on back roads.

1:18.0

Her insights are especially valuable in this election year and on this show we'll learn more about why so many people

1:25.3

who live in rural and small town America support Donald Trump and the populist coalition

1:31.4

that's reshaped the Republican Party.

1:34.0

Selina writes columns on politics for the Washington Examiner, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette,

1:40.0

and the New York Post.

1:41.0

She's the author of The Great Revolt inside the Populist Coalition

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.