Jonah Patel
White evangelicals have been a significant force in American politics since the 19th century, with their support for Donald Trump in the 2016 election puzzling many liberals and even some evangelical leaders. Their strong support for Trump, despite his lifestyle contradicting their puritanical moralism, has been attributed to their pursuit of political power and their belief in a Christian America. This group's nationalism and racism have been well-documented, with white evangelicals opposing human rights policies and displaying indifference towards vulnerable groups. They have also been criticized for their ignorance and ethical naivete, with some questioning their religious credentials. The topic of why white evangelicals are seemingly ignorant about the Constitution is an important one to explore, given their political influence and the potential impact on American society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support for Donald Trump | 72% approval rating of Trump's presidency |
| Support for the Republican Party | Majority identify as or lean Republican |
| Opposition to racial equality | Support for Tea Party, Muslim ban, and border policies allowing family separation |
| Opposition to feminism | Opposition to second-wave feminism |
| Opposition to tax-exempt status revocation for private schools | Opposition to IRS intervention |
| Opposition to the Johnson Amendment | Support for repeal of the Johnson Amendment |
| Lack of trust in previous presidents | 57% trust Trump's words more than previous presidents |
| Belief in Christian Nationalism | Agreement with the statement "The U.S. government should declare America a Christian nation" |
| Belief in the pursuit of political power | Belief in political power as the only correct way to engage with public life |
| Lack of engagement with alternative approaches | Ignoring alternative approaches to political engagement |
| Racialization of evangelicalism | Use of "white evangelical" as a power word by the political left |
| Historical amnesia | Chronic historical amnesia |
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What You'll Learn
The Christian Right's influence on white evangelical politics
The Christian Right has had a significant influence on white evangelical politics in the United States, with the two groups often sharing a symbiotic relationship. The term "Christian Right" typically refers to a political movement that combines conservative politics with evangelical and fundamentalist religion. The movement is driven by a desire to “reclaim” or “restore” what they see as America's Christian identity, which they believe is being undermined by secularism, diversity, and progressive policies.
The roots of the Christian Right can be traced back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, with organizations like the National Reform Association and the Christian Civic League of Maine advocating for Christianity to be enshrined in American governance. However, the Scopes trial in 1925 led most Evangelicals to abandon organized political engagement for several decades. It wasn't until the late 1970s and the leadership of televangelist Jerry Falwell that the Christian Right re-emerged as a political force, solidifying its influence in the 1980s.
The Christian Right has been characterized by its high voter turnout and strong motivation to support right-wing candidates. They actively participate in political events, canvassing, and distributing literature, driven by their devotion to their cause. Their influence extends beyond the ballot box, as they have successfully utilized media outlets, including radio, television, and literature, to disseminate their political agenda and connect with Christian audiences.
In recent years, the Christian Right has continued to exert influence, with the election of Donald Trump being a notable example. Despite Trump's seemingly incongruous persona with traditional Christian values, white evangelicals constituted a significant portion of his support base. This can be attributed to shared concerns about issues like abortion and a perceived need to protect a Christian America.
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White evangelical support for Donald Trump
White evangelicals have been among former President Donald Trump's strongest supporters. In the 2020 election, Trump won the support of about 8 in 10 white evangelical Christian voters, a group that represented about 20% of the total electorate. This support has continued into his second term, with 72% of white evangelicals approving of how Trump is handling his job as president, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April 2025.
There are several reasons why white evangelicals have supported Trump so strongly. One factor is the pursuit of political power. Many evangelical leaders who support Trump came of age politically during the ascendancy of the Christian Right and believe that pursuing political power is the correct way to engage with public life and promote their Christian values. Trump has also surrounded himself with a God-fearing cabinet and has made promises to protect Christians, which has likely appealed to white evangelicals.
Another reason for white evangelical support for Trump is their shared conservative values, particularly regarding morality and family. Trump's administration has taken actions to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the federal government and cut funding to federal departments and agencies, which have been approved by a majority of white evangelicals. They also support Trump's conservative agenda on reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights.
Additionally, white evangelicals have driven the campaign against the Johnson Amendment, which prohibited tax-exempt churches from endorsing political candidates. Trump's IRS repealed this rule, which was seen as a victory for white evangelicals and a way to further promote their political agenda.
It is important to note that not all white evangelicals support Trump. Some have expressed discomfort with his offensive political campaign and have sought alternative candidates who better align with their values. However, overall, white evangelicals have been a key voter base for Trump and have provided him with unwavering support throughout his presidency.
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White evangelicals' opposition to human rights
White evangelicals have historically been opposed to human rights, particularly those of people of colour. This opposition has been observed in their resistance to the civil rights movement, their pursuit of political power, and their stance on various social issues.
During the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, white evangelicals were largely absent or actively opposed to the cause of racial justice. They viewed racial integration as a violation of God's design for segregation, and worked to organize Citizens Councils to thwart civil rights initiatives. This resistance continued even after the Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision, which outlawed segregation in public schools, with white evangelical communities opening private "segregation academies" to oppose school desegregation.
The pursuit of political power has also been a significant factor in the opposition to human rights by white evangelicals. They have aligned themselves with the Republican Party and adopted increasingly anti-human rights stances. This is evident in their support for Ronald Reagan's "family values" platform in the 1980 presidential election. White evangelicals have also been influential in the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, which restricted the political activities of churches, despite the majority of religious groups opposing such a change.
On social issues, white evangelicals stand out as one of the most anti-human rights groups. They are more skeptical than evangelicals of colour and non-evangelicals about admitting refugees, integrating undocumented individuals, prosecuting police officers for excessive force, and prohibiting the torture of suspected terrorists. They also hold rigid positions on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and non-binary gender identification, often framing these issues as part of a cultural war against "the Left".
The reasons for these stances are complex and influenced by historical, political, and social factors. White evangelicals' identification with the Republican Party and their interpretation of Scripture have contributed to their opposition to human rights. Additionally, the study of evangelicalism has often centred on whiteness and maleness, hindering the understanding of the diversity within evangelicalism and its intersection with race and gender.
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The role of white evangelical leaders
White evangelical leaders have played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the United States, particularly in their support for conservative causes and candidates. During the buildup to the Civil War, they used scripture to defend slavery and support the Confederacy. This trend continued post-war, with white evangelical leaders working to deny voting rights to newly emancipated Black Americans.
In the 20th century, white evangelical leaders actively opposed the civil rights movement and supported segregationist policies. They also established private "segregation academies" in response to the Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision, which outlawed segregation in public schools. These academies, such as Reverend Jerry Falwell's Lynchburg Christian School, framed their opposition to desegregation as an issue of religious freedom.
Today, white evangelical leaders continue to exert political influence, particularly in their strong support for Republican politicians like Donald Trump. During Trump's presidency, white evangelical leaders have been among his most ardent supporters, with 72% approving of his job performance as of 2025. This support is driven by a pursuit of political power and a Christian Right agenda, which often includes opposing abortion and supporting Christian nationalism.
However, it is important to note that not all white evangelical leaders fit this mold. Some, like Pastor Josh Scott, have taken more progressive stances, such as supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion. Additionally, there are thoughtful Christians who have offered alternative approaches to evangelical political engagement that focus less on power. Unfortunately, these alternative voices have often been ignored by rank-and-file evangelicals, contributing to the perception of evangelicalism as predominantly white, conservative, and politically powerful.
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White evangelicals' views on racial segregation
White evangelicals have a history of racial concerns that have contributed to their political engagement and support for certain politicians. During the buildup to the Civil War, white evangelicals used scripture to defend slavery and support the Confederacy. Following the Civil War, they used religion as a basis to deny the vote to newly emancipated Black Americans. In the 20th century, white evangelicals opposed movements for racial equality and civil rights, and they continue to support racial segregation in schools and other institutions.
In the context of educational institutions, some white evangelical communities opened private schools to oppose school desegregation following the Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision. These schools, such as Reverend Jerry Falwell's Lynchburg Christian School and Bob Jones University, became known as "segregation academies." This resistance to racial integration in education was framed as an issue of religious freedom rather than a defense of racial segregation.
White evangelicals have also been associated with Christian Nationalism and Christian patriarchy, supporting the idea of declaring America a Christian nation with white leadership. This ideology has been linked to racialization, with critics arguing that it resembles pre-WWII German nationalism and includes overtones of white supremacy.
The racial views of white evangelicals have influenced their political engagement and support for certain politicians, such as Donald Trump. During his second term as president, 72% of white evangelical Protestants approved of his job performance, and 57% trusted what he said more than previous presidents. White evangelicals' support for Trump may be influenced by their shared concerns about racial and social issues.
Additionally, white evangelicals have been criticized for their opposition to the Johnson Amendment, which prohibited tax-exempt churches from endorsing political candidates. Despite claiming that the amendment stifled religious speech, the repeal of this rule did not elicit much enthusiasm from white evangelicals. This suggests that their motivation may be influenced by other factors, such as maintaining power and influence in politics.
In conclusion, white evangelicals' views on racial segregation are complex and deeply rooted in their religious and political beliefs. Their support for racial segregation has been evident in their opposition to school desegregation and their defense of slavery and confinement of Black Americans' rights throughout history. Today, white evangelicals continue to influence politics through their support for conservative politicians and their pursuit of power, often driven by racial concerns and a Christian Nationalist agenda.
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Frequently asked questions
White evangelicalism has been marked by a vision of a Christian America, driven to overcome its perceived enemies. This has resulted in their strong support for political leaders like Donald Trump, whose lifestyle and values contradict their puritanical moralism.
White evangelicals tend to support the idea that the United States is a Christian nation founded by Christians and interpret the Constitution through this lens, seeing its enemies as enemies of Christ.
Evangelical leaders have often ignored the nationalism and racism present in their movement, focusing instead on the pursuit of political power. Rank-and-file evangelicals tend to follow their leaders' approach, ignoring alternative perspectives offered by thoughtful Christians outside the Christian Right.
While a majority of religious groups, including white evangelicals, oppose allowing tax-exempt churches to endorse political candidates, white conservative evangelicals have driven campaigns like the one against the Johnson Amendment, seeking to increase the influence of churches in politics.
White evangelicals stand out as some of Trump's strongest supporters, with higher approval ratings for his actions and policies compared to White nonevangelical Protestants, White Catholics, Black Protestants, Hispanic Catholics, and religiously unaffiliated adults.
