White evangelicals stay Republican to defend their identity, a researcher argues
Even as approval has slipped, most remain loyal, tied by identity and wary of the other side.
Reuters World News · Starlink, Trump's base, Ben-Gvir and New York's horse-drawn carriagesSupport for President Donald Trump among white evangelical Christians has slipped, but it remains stronger than with any other large group of voters. Asked why the tie endures, Robert Jones, who studies American religion at the Public Religion Research Institute, argues the connection is about more than specific policies.
"We're a white Christian country. We're losing that identity. But if you stick with me, I'm going to make sure that we keep that identity," Jones said, describing the message he believes keeps many evangelicals aligned with Republicans.
In Jones's account, the pledge is to keep that identity from slipping away.
Churchgoers are split too. Eric Estep, a pastor in South Carolina who leads Village Church, urges worshippers to let faith guide their vote. Cynthia Carroll, a congregant who voted for Trump, says she is now on the fence and will probably lean Democratic because she is thinking about people who are hungry and starving.
Jones argues years of rhetoric that vilifies Democrats makes it hard for devout evangelicals to consider voting for the other party.
Questions people ask
Who counts as a white evangelical?
They are white Americans who belong to Protestant churches that stress personal faith, the authority of the Bible, and sharing their beliefs with others. They make up roughly one in seven American adults and have long been one of the most reliably Republican voting groups.
What is the Public Religion Research Institute?
It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization based in Washington that surveys Americans about religion, culture, and politics. Its founder, Robert Jones, has written extensively about the decline in the share of Americans who identify as white and Christian.
How much has evangelical support for Trump actually slipped?
Polling cited in the report puts Trump's approval among white evangelicals at 63%, down from 77% in January 2025. That is still the only major demographic where he is above 60%.