'Wish I never got into politics,' says Adin Ross, who livestreamed with Trump in 2024

• The president credited his son, Barron Trump, for encouraging him to appear on Adin Ross' livestream.
• Streamer Adin Ross expressed regret for getting involved in politics, though spoke positively about the opportunity to interview Donald Trump.
• Ross stated he feels people now tie him to his interview, and they don't get to know him independently.

Streamer Adin Ross expressed regret about getting into politics, saying he feels like he is always tied to his interview with President Donald Trump.

Ross, 24, interviewed the then-Republican nominee in August 2024 on his livestream and offered him lavish gifts like a Tesla Cybertruck.

In a Sept. 26 livestream, Ross discussed guests he would like to have on his stream, including podcaster Joe Rogan, as his audience in the chat suggested other potential guests with political ties like Elon Musk and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Can I tell you guys something? Now that I look back on it, I really, really wish I never got into like politics,” Ross said. “So many people just tie me to it ... and no matter what, they don’t even get to know who I am."

Ross is often considered part of the "manosphere," a group of male podcasters and vodcasters who tend to make content that appeals to conservative or anti-establishment young men.

"I really really understand other people's side, and as I'm getting older, I don’t think I’ll ever care enough again for any other politician ever in the future," Ross continued on his livestream. "At the end of the day, humans, we’re all humans."

Adin Ross part of Trump's manosphere election appearances

Ross also said he still considers himself blessed to have done a livestream with the president. After being accused of "folding" by commenters, he joked he would stream at the White House.

In the lead up to the 2024 election, Trump appealed to conservative-leaning men through influencers, comedians and commentators often considered part of the "manosphere."

In addition to Ross' livestream, Trump also appeared on the wildly popular podcast  "The Joe Rogan Experience" and comedian Theo Von's podcast "This Past Weekend."

But the influencers haven't all been giving ringing endorsements since Trump returned to the White House.

Von criticized the Department of Homeland Security, which used a clip of him in a September social media video, saying he didn't approve being a part of the video and he had more complicated views of immigration than the video suggested.

Rogan has also been critical of the administration at times, saying leadership was "trying to gaslight you" on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and said the government should not be involved in what comedians say on the air following Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.

Trump credited Barron Trump for appearance on Adin Ross livestream

Trump's youngest son Barron Trump, 19, has largely stayed out of the public eye as his father has returned to power. But the president credited his son with encouraging him to go after young voters through social media platforms and influencers like Ross.

Trump appeared on Ross' livestream in August 2024 and called Barron a "big fan" of Ross. During the session, Trump was also offered a Rolex watch and a Cybertruck wrapped in a photo taken of him during his July 13, 2024, assassination attempt.

Trump thanked Barron Trump for "the introduction to your friend, Adin" on social media after the interview.

Ross livestreams on Kick. He was previously banned from Twitch after allowing homophobic slurs and racist messages to appear in his chat, according to news reports.

Contributing: Antonio Fins, Jennifer Sangalang, James Powel, Brendan Morrow, Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY Network

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.