Trump Leans Into Culture Wars With Moms For Liberty
Former President Donald Trump expressed strong support for parental rights during a speech to a group of conservative activists Friday night, just a short distance from the White House, which he hopes to return to in the future.
Speaking at the Moms for Liberty “Joyful Warriors” Summit, Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, emphasized his commitment to parental rights, stating he is “all the way” in favor of them as he waded back into the ongoing culture wars.
In a “fireside chat” with Tiffany Justice, Co-Founder of Moms for Liberty, Donald Trump strongly endorsed the group’s principles, delivering sharp criticism of schools that support transgender youth and states that offer gender-affirming care. He contended that school boards have become too authoritarian, likening them to “dictatorships.”
“Parents are the ones who truly care about their kids,” Trump emphasized. “Some of these school board members, I don’t think they care as much… It’s time to give the rights back to the parents.”
Trump’s participation highlights the shift in Moms for Liberty’s mission. Initially focused on electing local school board candidates, the organization is now expanding its efforts to push a broader conservative agenda nationwide, especially as their influence at the local level has begun to level off.
As the presidential election approaches, Moms for Liberty has announced plans to invest over $3 million in key battleground states. While the group continues to support local school board candidates, the message from summit speakers was clear: winning a Trump presidency is their primary objective.
While on stage, Trump praised the “incredible” work Moms for Liberty has done and thanked Justice for her personal endorsement.
What is Moms for Liberty?
Understanding Moms for Liberty: A Controversial Parental Rights Group
Moms for Liberty is a group that has gained significant attention in recent years, branding itself as an advocate for parental rights. The organization hosts events that cover a range of topics, from “The History of Marxism” to “Helping Teachers Leave the Union,” reflecting its broader agenda.
They are perhaps most recognized for their federal super PAC, efforts to ban certain books from school libraries, and vocal opposition to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ topics and discussions on systemic racism in K-12 education.
Since its inception three years ago, Moms for Liberty has faced numerous controversies. One notable incident involved the removal of chapter leaders who were photographed alongside members of The Proud Boys, a far-right group whose leader was later sentenced to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
These scandals have cast a shadow over the organization, raising questions about its affiliations and the true nature of its advocacy.
In 2023, the Southern Poverty Law Center classified Moms for Liberty as an “extremist” and “anti-government” organization. The group is also connected with the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, which had a presence at their convention.
Moms for Liberty is part of the advisory board for The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, an extensive proposal aimed at reshaping the federal government—a plan that former President Trump has sought to distance himself from.
The organization claims to have 300 chapters and a membership of 130,000 across the country, with 600 members attending the recent summit.
Sarah Thomas, an attendee at Friday’s event, described the summit as an “awakening.” Thomas, a mom of seven children from York County, Pennsylvania, said she is worried about the cost of groceries, upset by school vaccine mandates and that she believes Trump’s disproven claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Her friend invited her to the summit to learn more about the group and she said she was happy to find like-minded people.
Several reviews, recounts, and audits, have affirmed that the 2020 presidential election results are legitimate.
“It’s interesting that even people in other states have the same issues as our little piece of the world,” Thomas said. “If the other party wins, I find it very hard to think that it would be a legitimate.”
What role is Moms for Liberty playing in the 2024 election?
Liz Mikitarian, a former kindergarten teacher from Florida and the founder of the counter-movement “STOP Moms for Liberty,” believes that the Trump campaign likely views the organization as a strategic tool to rally support from suburban women—an influential voting demographic.
“We recently saw our President take a stand, and he was absolutely right when he said, ‘fight, fight, fight,'” Justice passionately told the crowd. “Moms: Let me make this clear, it’s time to fight like a mother.”
However, Trump’s association with Moms for Liberty could potentially alienate moderate voters due to the group’s controversial reputation. Activists at the convention expressed “cautious optimism” about his prospects in November.
Republican campaign strategist Shawn Frost, who once served on the same school board as Justice and worked as a media engagement consultant for Moms for Liberty during its early days, shared his perspective on the group’s direction.
He mentioned that he had advised the organization to downplay culture war issues in order to broaden its appeal, but ultimately, the group decided to part ways with him.
Regarding former President Trump’s involvement with the organization, Frost noted that while Trump’s presence at their conference might energize his loyal base, it’s unlikely to resonate with more moderate suburban Republicans or independent voters.
“President Trump is doing them a significant favor by lending his weight and relevance to their relatively small conference,” Frost remarked.
As November 5th approaches, the two major party candidates are intensifying their campaign activities in crucial battleground states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. According to a recent poll conducted by USA TODAY and Suffolk University, Harris holds a lead over Trump, with 48% of voters supporting her compared to Trump’s 43%, following the Democratic National Convention.