14% of Americans Strongly Embrace Christian Nationalism, New Data Shows

Fewer Americans strongly identify with Christian nationalism than before, according to new data released ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The share of the U.S. population that strongly embraces the ideology has slipped to approximately 14%, while just over 16% remain at least sympathetic to it. These figures come from the Kettering Foundation and Gallup’s annual national survey, which polled more than 23,000 adults.

Christian nationalism is defined as the belief that Christianity defines the nation and that the government should take active steps to maintain that status. Andrew Whitehead, a professor of sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis and a research fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, noted that this belief system shapes how individuals perceive democracy. He stated that the data reveals where Americans fall on this spectrum, which indicates what they think democracy is and how it is functioning.

The data shows distinct demographic and partisan splits. Among white Americans, 31% are at least sympathetic to Christian nationalism. A third of men hold this view, compared to 28% of women. Political affiliation is strongly correlated with the ideology. More than half of Republicans, specifically 55%, strongly embrace or sympathize with Christian nationalism.

Whitehead observed that despite the slight decline in strong identification, the rhetoric remains prevalent in federal government and media. He said that fewer Americans embrace it strongly, but it is much more a part of national political discussions than in the past. He explained that those who embrace the ideology view democracy differently than those who reject it. Those who strongly embrace it say democracy is doing great, while very few who reject it think democracy is doing well or even okay.

The nearly 70% of respondents who resist or reject Christian nationalism are motivated to vote in the upcoming cycle. Whitehead said they are driven to the polls because they want Congress to check the power of the executive branch. He noted that this check has not been happening in the first two years of the Trump administration.

While Republicans more commonly combine religion and politics, this election cycle includes five Democrats on the ballot in Congressional races who are clergy or in training to become clergy.