Northeast
'Make America Hot Again' socials bring young conservative singles together in New York City
While New York City is a Democratic stronghold, young conservative movers and shakers are meeting other singles at a new series of events in the Big Apple.
Political polarization, particularly that between young men and women, has become an internationally recognized phenomenon in recent years. One example from pop culture erupted earlier this spring when “Love is Blind” stars Sara Carton and Ben Mezzenga did not get married during the season finale because Carton had reservations about Mezzenga’s religious and political viewpoints, including on the Black Lives Matter movement.
As this polarization continues, some young conservatives, particularly those in left-leaning cities, are relying on events geared towards their political persuasion to find love.
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In an increasingly polarized society, young conservative movers and shakers who live in some of America’s most influential cities are finding ways to network and socialize. On the right is a photo of members of the New York Young Republicans Club (NYYRC) gathering to celebrate NYYRC’s 114th anniversary and the inauguration of the club’s new president Stefano L. Forte in New York City, U.S., April 27, 2025. REUTERS/David ‘Dee’ Delgado (New York City Skyline photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images | New York Young Republicans event photo from REUTERS/David ‘Dee’ Delgado)
Conservative influencer Raquel Debono, 29, spoke to The New York Post about why she founded “Make America Hot Again,” which the outlet described as “a cheeky movement throwing parties for young conservatives around NYC at hot spots like downtown’s Sincerely, Ophelia and Trump Tower.”
She touted her events as specifically different from other Republican mixers, declaring, “‘We’re really just normal people, we’re the city conservative,” in a recent Instagram video.
“With her regular bacchanals that can swell to as many as 300 people, love is definitely in the air,” The New York Post’s Doree Lewak wrote.
Recalling one couple who found romance and got “hot and heavy” at an event in May, Debono commented, “That’s why I throw these — I’m trying to find my husband.”
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New York City may be known as a Democratic stronghold, but there is a subculture of young conservative movers and shakers who are working their way up in the world from one of America’s most iconic and influential cities. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Comins)
She reported a male majority at the events, with a 60-40 split in favor of men from the “bro and tech vote.”
“I have met a few lovely young men, but as they say, the coach doesn’t play,” Debono said to the New York Post.
Brent Morden, the vice president of the New York Young Republican Club, who recently made headlines with a popular gala, touted New York as a great place to find options, “if you know where to look.”
Dan Huff, the co-founder of Date Right Stuff, an app for conservative singles, told the New York Post that the app saw “tens of thousands of downloads right after the election.”
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Conservative dating apps, like Date Right Stuff, have reportedly seen a surge in downloads since the 2024 election. (iStock)
The New York Post added that this recent surge “adds to the app’s nearly 400,000 downloads as the team focuses on New York with sought-after events that have drawn ‘hundreds of attendees and generated strong buzz.’”
“There’s a spark in New York now, a reawakening,” Huff said.
The app’s chief growth officer, Micaela Bishop, noted, “Our main focus is to build critical masses in these Democratic cities to make sure these people have somewhere to go.”
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New York
Homes for Sale in the Bronx and Manhattan
Bronx | 305 East 140th Street, No. 5A
Mott Haven Loft
$1.35 million
A two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,981-square-foot condo with an open floor plan, bamboo and granite countertops, a den/home office, original hardwood floors and a basement storage cage. The unit is on the top floor of a five-story former factory from 1901 that has a virtual intercom, a super, shared laundry and a bike room. Tano Holmes and Victor Banks, Century 21; century21.com
Costs
Common charges: $1,456 a month
Taxes: $9,240 a year
Pro
In-unit washer/dryers are permitted and an area near the kitchen can accommodate a laundry room or second bathroom. The ceilings reach 12 feet. The building is eco-friendly and has solar panels to reduce electricity costs.
Cons
It’s a big space to cool with window unit air-conditioning.
Manhattan | 467 Central Park West, No. 12F
Manhattan Valley Condo
$1.75 million
A two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,152-square-foot apartment that has a windowed kitchen with a pass-through to a breakfast bar, an open floor plan, a primary suite, a second bedroom with a walk-in closet, a windowed bath, built-ins, a decorative fireplace and wide-plank oak floors. It’s on the 12th floor of a 17-story prewar doorman building that has a live-in superintendent, a bike room, shared laundry and a waiting list for extra storage. Jed Lewin, The Agency; theagencyre.com
Costs
Common charges: $1,350 a month
Taxes: $1,098 a month
Assessment: $374 a month through January 2028, for updates to the building’s exterior
Pros
The kitchen has two windows, a six-burner range and ample counter space. The view includes Central Park and Billionaire’s Row.
Cons
In-unit washer/dryers are not permitted.
Manhattan | 146 E 49th Street, No. 2B
Turtle Bay Co-op
$715,000
A two-bedroom, one-bath, roughly 940-square-foot apartment that has a windowed eat-in kitchen, an open living/dining area, a windowed bathroom and original hardwood floors. It’s on the second floor of a 10-story building by Emory Roth with a live-in super and shared laundry. Laura Cook and Adam Wolfe, Keller Williams NYC; kwnyc.com
Costs
Maintenance: $2,583 a month
Pros
Use as a pied-à-terre, subletting after two years of residency and an in-unit washer/dryer are permitted with board approval.
Cons
The view consists of only nearby buildings. The second bedroom does not have a closet. The building lacks a bike room and there’s a waiting list for basement storage cages.
Given the fast pace of the current market, some properties may no longer be available at the time of publication.
Boston, MA
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