Theme Panel: Division and Disorder: The Christian Right in the Trump Era

July 30, 2025 APSA Annual Meeting, Theme Panels Comments Off on Theme Panel: Division and Disorder: The Christian Right in the Trump Era

Co-sponsored by Division 47: Sexuality & Politics

In-Person Roundtable

Participants:

  • (Chair) Clyde Wilcox, Georgetown University
  • (Presenter) Angelia R. Wilson, University of Manchester
  • (Presenter) Paul A. Djupe, Denison University
  • (Presenter) Melissa Deckman, Public Religion Research Institute
  • (Presenter) Andrew R. Flores, American University

Session Description:

The rise of MAGA and the election of Trump in 2024 raises questions regarding the relationship between the political leaders of the Christian Right and those of the Republican Party. The expert panelists will draw on voter data from the 2024 election cycle to consider the preferences of Christian Right voters in the Presidential election, State elections, and ballot initiatives as one indicator of Christian Right support for the MAGA and/or Republican political agenda. In addition, panelists will present initial findings regarding discursive indicators of political alignment of Christian Right political leadership with the leadership and political agenda of the Republican Party. The discussion will focus on what this evidence suggests regarding the similarities and differences between the preferences of Christian Right voters, those of the Christian Right leadership, and those articulated by Republican candidates and leadership in the 2024 election cycle. The aim of these investigations is to discern the current Christian Right political influence in the Republican Party and its future importance in setting the socio-political agenda.