May 25, 2016
We all know the 2016 presidential race has been a polarizing ride thus far, and it's unlikely this effect will diminish before November. If you're single and you're the type to expound at length on the state of the nation, there's a good chance something you say will be a dealbreaker — not just because you believe it, but because you support a candidate who does.
There's a place in the world for you extreme partisans. Whether you're a Bernie Sanders fan or a Donald Trump devotee, the internet has furnished a pair of dating websites where you can connect with like minds this election season.
Let's start with BernieSingles.com, a progressive hub where supporters of the tenacious Vermont senator can find a match among more than 12,000 registered members. Their tagline? "The 1% are not the only ones getting screwed this election season."
The site was launched in February by Arizona State University student Colten Caudle, who got the idea after meeting his girlfriend on a Sanders-themed Facebook page. Much like the rest of the online dating phenomenon, it's changing lives every day.
A dating site for people who support Bernie Sanders just followed me. That's it, my life has peaked. #bestdayever #berniesingles
— Justine McCluskey (@JustineHMcC) April 8, 2016
But seriously who needs tinder when BernieSingles is a thing
— Roberto (@toe_berto) March 29, 2016
Just got my first message on https://t.co/pm3VcJgpbA. Things are looking up in the dating world!
— falterjoe (@falterjoe) April 18, 2016
As a friend who got ticketed and banned from driving in the state of Arizona once said, "Why do I need to go to Arizona when I can attend the University of Phoenix online?"
But all of this action among lefties got under the skin of David Goss, a 35-year-old Trump enthusiast and associate producer for Syfy's "Face Off" reality show. On May 16, Goss launched TrumpSingles.com to make dating great again.
The problem, as Goss explains in an interview with MarketWatch, is that his 27,000+ Twitter followers have only converted to about 30 or so actual members. It's free to sign up on TrumpSingles.com, but to really take advantage of the full package, as is true with just about all dating sites, you have to pay to play.
"Our members support Trump, but they don’t want people to know they support Trump," Goss said. "We have to get people to be more comfortable being on the site. Some people told me that they want to support me and will do everything they can, but they don’t want their face on something that is Trump-related."
What does that say about Trump's candidacy? Goss thinks lots of people may vote for him without admitting they did.
As for the dating sites, there's already been a little social media battle between minglers in the Sanders and Trump camps.
There are dating websites for winners (#TrumpSingles) and there are dating websites for losers ( @BernieSingles ). https://t.co/gExMc0odZ5
— TrumpSingles (@trumpsinglescom) May 16, 2016
One of us has 20,000 users connected. The other is you. https://t.co/U3BOUJ2ito
— Bernie Singles (@BernieSingles) May 16, 2016
And in case you're wondering, there's been no sign of a ClintonSingles site in the works. Interpret that as you choose.