(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.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.