President-elect Donald Trump made significant gains among young voters in the election, walking away with 44% support of those under 30 years of age, according to exit polling.

That’s up from 36% support in that same age group in 2020.

It was a stunning result for Mr. Trump, 78, who if he fills out all four years of his coming term would become the oldest president on record. He was running against Vice President Kamala Harris, who is 18 years his junior and was hoping to become the first Generation X president, as well as the first woman.

Ms. Harris had cast the election as a chance to hire a “new generation of leadership.” She did win the younger vote, carrying 53% of those under 30. But it was down from the 60% President Biden won in 2020.

Younger voters made up 13% of the electorate this time, according to the exit polling conducted for a consortium of news networks, including CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC. That was down from 17% in 2020.

Mr. Trump made smaller gains — about 4% — among those 45-64 years of age.

And he held serve at 46% among voters 30-44, roughly corresponding to the millennial generation, and to seniors over age 65, according to the exit polling.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.