Trump-era politics reshape dating in Richmond
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Donald Trump changed the Richmond dating game.
Why it matters: Political compatibility has become a bigger dating dealbreaker in the Trump era, local matchmakers tell Axios.
The big picture: Clients are now more willing to compromise on a potential partner's income, education or homeownership than their politics, says Susan Trombetti, a matchmaker of 16 years whose clients include wealthy Richmonders, members of Congress and political candidates.
- Trombetti, CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, says politics "was never even a mention" before Trump's first term.
- It became increasingly important on both sides after his first election, and "went on steroids" after Jan. 6 and Trump's return to the White House.
Zoom in: Margarita Prokofyeva, matchmaker and founder of the Pair Club, has seen a similar divide, with many left-leaning Richmonders saying they have "zero interest" in dating or even having a fling with someone who leans right.
- But people with different beliefs regularly mingle at her in-person events without knowing it, she adds.
Between the lines: Richmond overwhelmingly votes Democratic, but the surrounding metro is more politically mixed.
- In a relatively small dating market, Trombetti says some Richmond clients are open to expanding their search to D.C. and even Maryland.
The intrigue: Political dealbreakers in Virginia aren't limited to Democrats versus Republicans, Trombetti says.
- She's had Republicans reject fellow Republicans over disagreements about Biden's presidency.
- One Republican would only date another Trump supporter.
- Meanwhile, a woman asked if a prospective match had attended the Jan. 6 Capitol riot after learning he was a Republican. He hadn't.
- Another promising match fell apart because the woman drove a Tesla.