While the wounds of the 2024 presidential election are still relatively fresh, President-elect Donald Trump is set to usher in a new era of conservatism that is potentially more damaging than that of his former term. As every election comes and goes, the exit polls always remain and portray a deeper image of the voting patterns and trends of the average American. Many or most exit polls only reveal White religious voting patterns, though, so it’s crucial that we scrutinize how White Catholics communicated a clear rejection of Kamala Harris.
According to Pew Research, White Catholic voters have consistently aligned themselves with the Republican Party in every major election of the 21st century. It is no surprise, then, that in the last three presidential cycles, White Catholics have maintained faith in Trump. In 2016, 2020, and 2024, they consistently sided with him at 60%, 56%, and 61%, respectively.
For me, this is no shocker. When 63% of Catholic voters prefer a government with less service and intervention, it’s evident that a Harris administration would be denounced. Furthermore, different factions of voters exist: Baby Boomer White Catholics are probably more tradition-oriented and passionate social conservatives. Younger White males are inundated with social media priests, a Traditional Latin Mass revival that affects cultural norms, and “bro culture” media that elevates anti-diversity, misogyny, and patriarchy. These ingredients of right-wing reactionism boiled in the cauldron to deny a Harris agenda to advance.
At the core of the revolt against a more supportive government is the apparent feeling among White Catholic voters that their way of life is being threatened by socially progressive/liberal policies. For the last six decades, government involvement meant to ensure economic opportunity and combat gender and racial inequality has put historically marginalized and neglected groups at the forefront. Trillions of dollars have been dedicated to social welfare and greater government intervention in creating a more just union.
Harris’ “New Way Forward” was not only a slogan but an all-encompassing agenda dedicated to creating an opportunity economy and lowering costs for middle- and low-income Americans. Carrying the liberal baton of her predecessors, she proposed $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers to create generational wealth, and the $3,600 child tax credit aimed at reducing poverty. These were key portions of her plan to put underserved populations on equal footing to achieve the American Dream.
Yet White Catholics opted to ensure the status quo, shutting the door of opportunity to “others” like Black Americans. To them, policies such as affirmative action are measures that discriminate against White Americans and therefore erode their privilege, status, and protection. With their vote against Harris’ opportunity economy, White Catholics moved to codify their desire to preserve their power and interests from those that aren’t able to ascend the ladder of achievement by individualistic means.
The failure to embrace socially conscious policies represents a larger narrative that's always been present within the (mostly White) religious right movement: Their unconcealed opposition to a darker America. With ideas like the “Great Replacement,” White Americans have a very long track record of resistance to racial diversity. The repudiation of Harris reflects their deep-seated ideology that sees an “invasion” of multiculturalism as a threat to the longevity of White people—mainly men—in governmental power.
Even with this distrustful understanding, it would have been beneficial for White Catholics to objectively ponder which candidate would promote and uphold the dignity of human life in toto. Though not perfect on the consistent life ethic of life, a Harris administration—with its goals for expanding healthcare, assisting in child and elder care, eradicating poverty, and investing in climate sustainability and the social safety net—was the clear choice for protection of the common good. If carried out to their fullest extent, we would have seen a wide range of programs and support for low-income and middle class families to have a seat at the table of opportunity.
On the other hand, Trump is no fan of making a just society for those that need extra support. In his last term as president, he wanted steep cuts to critical safety nets, which would put our nation’s most vulnerable residents at risk. Now, as he transitions into the executive office, we’re seeing Trump promise to abolish the Department of Education, which would have immediate and long-term repercussions. As national educational policy attempts to crawl out of the pandemic era, the removal of such a critical department could obstruct special education, grant availability, and other funding for not only grade school but also higher education—an essential need for the 21st century.
With these concerns over the intersectional role of race and gender and the existential fear of diversity, White Catholics who voted for Trump could use serious introspection concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. As our Savior declared:
“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”
(John 12:46)
Those who hold onto beliefs that both destroy human dignity and the sacredness of life and also inflame the sin of pride walk in a cloud of false worship. By dismissing the interdependence of the Body of Christ and our society, the reins of spiritual darkness can corrupt their mind on how to relate to the spiritual and material condition of their neighbor.
Though they may think they are righteous in their Adoration or service with rituals and other forms of piety, they are precisely the believers that Jesus warned about when he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
Despite the denial of the works of mercy in the voting booth, there is still an opportunity for them to be the Good Samaritan. Just as the robbed man on the road to Jerusalem, those on the margins have been crippled by decades of macro-policy aimed at benefiting the rich, divesting from education, slashing health care, slanting the economy, and neglecting those in need. But White Catholic voters can be the ones that go beyond superficial differences and embrace a radical commitment to understanding the plight of the powerless.
With a commitment to transferring their power and privilege in tangible ways, White Catholics can be peacemakers in a society at war with minorities and those deprived of meaningful and full participation in community and society.
The aftermath of the 2024 election will remain with us for some time, and White Catholics missed an opportunity to transcend racial and ideological differences by supporting Harris. More generally, as a body of believers, we must continually examine and confront the evil that wants to divide us. If we don’t, atrophy will be ever-present and the barriers that divide will continue to be amplified.
Efran Menny is a husband, father, and regular contributor to BCM. His work is informed by his experience as an educator and his studies in social work. He has a passion for elevating topics on justice and theology for Black Catholics.
