Staff Reports
Former U.S. Rep. Pete King (R‑N.Y.) and former U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R‑Ga.) told viewers on Newsmax’s Wake Up America Weekend that Generation Z has been “propagandized” and that the problem traces back to a failed education system. They weren’t whispering. The segment offered a blunt diagnosis that should make parents, teachers, and conservatives wake up — and start fixing things.
Propaganda or Curriculum Failure? The Argument from Newsmax
On Newsmax’s Wake Up America Weekend, former U.S. Rep. Pete King and former U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston argued that much of Gen Z’s politics flows from messaging pumped at them by social platforms and activist culture — messaging that replaces clear civic education. Kingston put it plainly on air: “It just shows it’s a failure of our education system,” as reported by Newsmax. That’s a sharp claim, but it fits a simple pattern: kids spend hours on TikTok and Instagram, and many schools have folded civics into vague “social justice” talk instead of teaching the roots of the republic.
Hard Data That Bites
The numbers back up the worry. The Nation’s Report Card (NAEP) shows low proficiency in U.S. history and civics — only a small share of students score at “proficient.” Surveys from Morning Consult and Gallup also find younger adults report lower national pride and less trust in institutions. Add in media data showing Gen Z gets much of its news from social platforms, and you have a recipe where fast, viral takes can shape political views faster than a classroom can correct them. That matters for midterms: youth turnout can swing close races, and a generation persuaded online can change outcomes in battleground states.
What Conservatives Should Do Next
First, stop whining and start building. If schools aren’t teaching real civics and history, conservatives should push for curricula that do. Pass practical bills, support school choice, and fund civics programs that teach how government works — not just slogans. Second, get into the media fight. If TikTok and YouTube set the agenda, conservatives need to meet Gen Z where they are with clear, direct messaging that explains conservative principles without condescension. Third, empower parents. Parents ought to have the right to know what’s being taught and to demand accountability.
This isn’t a conspiracy for late-night fever dreams — it’s a problem with real roots and real remedies. Blaming “propaganda” without offering solutions is theater. King and Kingston gave a diagnosis. Now conservative activists, educators, and politicians must supply a medicine cabinet: stronger civics, better messaging, and more choices for families. If we don’t, the midterms will be a test we fail for another generation.
