The Gist: Katherine Stewart on Christian Nationalism's Influence on Conservatism
Released on May 19, 2025
Host: Mike Pesca | Produced by Peach Fish Productions

Introduction

In this episode of The Gist, host Mike Pesca engages in a profound conversation with Katherine Stewart, the author of Money, Lies in God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy. Stewart delves into the intricate web of Christian nationalism and its profound impact on the conservative movement and the Republican Party. Their discussion uncovers the underlying forces, key players, and the alarming trajectory towards undermining American democracy.

Katherine Stewart's Background and Expertise

Katherine Stewart is renowned for her incisive analysis of the conservative movement, particularly focusing on the role of Christian nationalism. Her latest work, Money, Lies in God, explores how various factions within conservatism collaborate to erode democratic institutions and values.

Taxonomy of the Movement

Mike Pesca begins by outlining the structure of Stewart's analysis, which categorizes the movement into distinct groups: funders, thinkers, sergeants, infantry, and power players.

• Infantry: The rank-and-file members, including those who participated in the January 6 Capitol riot.

• Sergeants: Leaders who orchestrate and command the actions of the infantry, often associated with groups like the Proud Boys.

• Thinkers: Intellectuals who provide the ideological framework and strategies for the movement.

• Funders: Wealthy individuals and entities that finance the movement's activities.

Notable Quote:
“The funders, the thinkers, the sergeants, the infantry, and the power players. Some of these the infantry... but let's go further up the chain.”
— Mike Pesca [08:58]

The Role of Thinkers and the New Right

Stewart explains that the thinkers are primarily affiliated with the New Right, a movement that isn't exclusively Christian nationalist but includes a spectrum of ideologies, some of which draw disturbing inspirations from historical totalitarian regimes.

Key Points:

• Many thinkers are not overtly religious; some are atheistic or nihilistic.
• They are influenced by political theorists with connections to Nazi ideology.
• The primary motivation is the pursuit of power, aiming to establish a new elite by dismantling existing liberal elites.
• These intellectuals act as "funder whispers," guiding wealthy donors on strategic investments.

Notable Quote:
“They want to become a new elite, and they've really played a crucial role in bringing the funders together with the foot soldiers, I would say, the rank and file of the Christian nationalist movement.”
— Katherine Stewart [10:55]

Influence of Think Tanks: The Claremont Institute

Stewart highlights the Claremont Institute as a pivotal think tank that has shifted from its original mission of strengthening America's founding principles to a more reactionary stance aligned with the New Right.

Key Points:

• Originally pro-immigration and focused on conservative principles.
• Under recent leadership, it has adopted more radical and anti-American ideologies.
• Significant influence on Trump’s administration and policy documents like Project 2025.
• Advocates for a "state of emergency" to justify overriding democratic norms and establishing authoritarian governance.

Notable Quote:
“They are really bent on destroying the values of pluralism and equality and justice that really represent the best of the American promise.”
— Katherine Stewart [12:10]

Funders: Motivations and Ideological Alignment

Stewart delves into the motivations of the funders, the wealthy individuals who finance the movement. Their motivations extend beyond mere financial gain to include:

Key Points:

• Desire to protect and justify the massive concentration of their wealth.
• Belief in ideologies that support deregulation and tax privileges.
• Resistance to policies that would redistribute wealth or impose higher taxes on the elite.
• Influence from both overt religious motives and secular, libertarian economic ideologies.

Notable Quote:
“These wealthy ultra wealthy funders don't like to hear about that. So they're really susceptible to any kind of ideology that sort of justifies those massive concentrations of wealth.”
— Katherine Stewart [14:43]

Collaboration Across Religious Lines

One of the striking aspects of the movement is the collaboration between different religious factions, particularly Catholics and Evangelicals, unified by their shared opposition to progressive social policies.

Key Points:

• The Manhattan Declaration serves as a binding document that unites Catholic and Evangelical leaders on common cultural and political goals.
• Shared agendas include opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, and redefining religious freedom to favor conservative religious organizations.
• Prominent funders like Barry Seid and Leonard Leo play crucial roles in bridging gaps between different religious and ideological groups.

Notable Quote:
“There's a lot of collaboration across these traditional divides because of a document...the Manhattan Declaration.”
— Katherine Stewart [26:30]

Impact on American Democracy

Stewart emphasizes the existential threat posed by Christian nationalism and the New Right to the foundations of American democracy.

Key Points:

• Advocacy for authoritarian governance structures, undermining the democratic system.
• Efforts to weaken judicial independence by appointing ideologically aligned judges.
• Mobilization through culture wars that distract from pressing socio-economic issues affecting the majority of Americans.
• Strategies to alienate allies and engage in costly trade wars, exacerbating economic instability.

Notable Quote:
“They are engaged in a project that is entirely at odds with what our America's founders intended and American democracy.”
— Katherine Stewart [22:45]

The Role of Media and Propaganda

The discussion touches upon how media outlets and propaganda efforts amplify the movement's narratives, obscuring the underlying threats to democracy.

Key Points:

• Media allies distort and propagate deceptive narratives to maintain support for authoritarian agendas.
• Efforts to downplay or discredit opposition by labeling it as misinformation or politically motivated attacks.
• The use of symbolic battles, such as debates over pronouns or transgender athletes in sports, to divert attention from systemic issues.

Notable Quote:
“They do not want policies that are going to sort of benefit them financially... but also want justification for the massive concentrations of wealth that they've accumulated.”
— Katherine Stewart [14:43]

Conclusion and Implications

The conversation concludes with a stark warning about the future of American democracy if the influences of Christian nationalism and the New Right remain unchecked. Stewart calls for heightened awareness and accountability to counteract the erosion of democratic values.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the taxonomy of the movement is crucial for addressing its multifaceted threats.
• The intertwining of financial power, ideological frameworks, and strategic leadership creates a robust challenge to democratic institutions.
• Collaborative efforts across religious and ideological lines amplify the movement's influence and reach.
• Active engagement and truth-seeking are imperative to restore and preserve democratic norms.

Notable Quote:
“If you want me to acknowledge that it's 10 times as true as it ever was for Biden, sure, put that multiple on it. But you have to get past it if you care.”
— Mike Pesca [34:37]

Final Remarks

Katherine Stewart’s insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the forces undermining American democracy through Christian nationalism and the New Right. Her analysis underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing these influences to safeguard the nation's democratic foundations.

Credits:
Produced by Cory Wara, with contributions from Astrid Green (Social Media Coordinator), Michelle Peskas (CBSO), Ashley Khan (Co-CBSO), and Leo Baum (Intern).