(Daily Signal)—All eyes were on Gen Z this weekend as more than 10,000 students gathered at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where speakers and panels discussed the issues motivating Gen Z heading into a pivotal election year.
After making impressive inroads with young voters in the 2024 presidential election, the conservative movement is vigorously debating how to address young voters’ concerns heading into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election.
From the main stage to The Daily Signal’s interviews with students in attendance, one issue rose above the rest: affordability.
Affordability Is Everything
“Probably the most important economic issue of our time today is affordable housing. Gen Z is going into a housing market that is practically unaffordable,” said Gabe Guidarini, a TPUSA Action field representative. “We have to pay rent just to get by, working multiple incomes. You shouldn’t have to work multiple incomes just to rent an apartment, let alone own a house.”
Guidarini was one of several Gen Z speakers featured at a breakout session called “The Gen Z Factor,” which discussed why young voters shifted to the right in 2024 and how conservatives could make further inroads.
Adam Pennings, director of Run Gen Z, an organization dedicated to electing Gen Z leaders to local public office, also focused on affordability in the breakout session.
“Affordability is on every young person’s mind,” Pennings said.
“If you see a young person in college, I guarantee you they’re worried about if they’re going to find a job. The job market is not a great place,” Pennings said. “The housing market is not a great place. The healthcare system is not a great place and they’re very worried about that.”
Guidarini warned of the consequences if Republicans ignore the issue, “If the GOP doesn’t address (the affordability crisis), then what’s to stop socialist demagogues like Zohran Mamdani and his people from selling us a rotten bag of goods. The GOP needs to take firm stances on that and fight for young people.”
The Gen Z Focus
In the 2024 election, Republicans saw a 14-point increase in support from voters aged 18 to 29 compared to 2012, according to The New York Times.
Turning Point USA and its slain founder Charlie Kirk have received a large amount of credit for laying the groundwork for this cultural and political shift among Gen Z voters.
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, Turning Point USA has redoubled its efforts to politically and spiritually activate young people.
And students have responded to these efforts. Since Kirk’s murder on Sept. 10, the organization has received over 140,000 student requests, bringing total involvement to more than 1 million students. Turning Point USA boasts over 3,000 active high school clubs and over 1,000 college chapters. At AmericaFest alone, Turning Point USA estimated 200 new clubs were formed.
There is an undeniable sense of urgency because Gen Z could prove to be the difference between victory and defeat in 2026 and 2028.
Students’ Affordability Concerns
Guidarini’s and Pennings’ concerns about affordability reflected the views of the Gen Z conference goers that spoke to The Daily Signal.
“Democrats have made my life worse because as a college student, I am already broke enough,” said Chris, a 22-year-old college senior. “They’re already taxing the heck out of us, and I don’t think I’ll be able to live in California any more with all these stupid tax policies.”
California has the highest income tax margins in the country, ranging from 1% to 13.3% based on income.
Matthew, a 19-year-old student, told The Daily Signal he believes “having Donald Trump as president or a Republican as a president is going to make [paying taxes] a lot easier.”
Earnings growth has outpaced inflation this year and the average American’s weekly paycheck now buys 1.6% more than in Jan, after falling 4.0% under Biden – what a difference a president makes… pic.twitter.com/bVOJ0NhDag
— E.J. Antoni, Ph.D. (@RealEJAntoni) December 18, 2025
The “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” the budget reconciliation package Trump signed into law in July, extended the 2017 Trump tax cuts and included provisions such as no tax on tips or overtime.
The president has recently claimed that 2026 will be the “largest tax refund season of all time.”
Beyond taxation, another major affordability concern is the price of housing, which has delayed or prevented many young Americans and their families from owning a home.
In the 1960’s roughly 35% of 30 year olds were married and owned a home. Today that number is 12%.
TRUST IN TRUMP: Prices are steady, and wages are outpacing inflation! 🇺🇸
President Trump’s policies and bold deregulation are continuing to drive inflation down and put MORE MONEY in Americans’ pockets.💰 pic.twitter.com/fQkq4HNOa6
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 18, 2025
The Trump administration has looked to encourage home building and lower housing costs through slashing regulations and lowering energy prices.
For weeks, however, the administration has teased a larger initiative to lower housing prices, and reports suggest Trump could announce this reform effort in the coming days or weeks.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.
Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.