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Former President Donald Trump made a significant appearance at the Moms for Liberty “Joyful Warriors” Summit in Washington, D.C., signaling a strategic focus on cultural issues as he campaigns for the presidency. The summit, held a few blocks from the White House, saw Trump engaging closely with the right-wing parental rights group, which has recently shifted its focus from local school board politics to a broader conservative agenda.
During his “fireside chat” with Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Tiffany Justice, Trump emphasized his support for parental rights, criticizing schools and school boards that support transgender youth and offer protections for gender-affirming care. He labeled these boards as “like dictatorships” and urged that parental rights be restored. “The parents truly love the kids,” Trump said. “Some of these people on the boards, I think they don’t like the kids very much … you have to give the rights back to the parents.”
Moms for Liberty, founded in 2021, is known for its efforts to influence school curricula and its vocal opposition to LGBTQ+ topics and systemic racism in education. The group, which boasts over 300 chapters and 130,000 members, has increasingly aligned itself with national political battles, aiming to secure a conservative victory in the upcoming presidential election. It plans to spend more than $3 million in battleground states to bolster Trump’s campaign.
The summit’s agenda included sessions on topics such as “The History of Marxism” and “Helping Teachers Leave the Union,” reflecting the group’s broader anti-left and anti-establishment stance. Despite its controversial reputation and scandals, including connections to far-right groups and a label of “extremist” from the Southern Poverty Law Center, Moms for Liberty has managed to attract a significant following.
Critics argue that Trump’s alliance with Moms for Liberty could alienate moderate voters due to the group’s extremist image. Liz Mikitarian, who founded the counter-group “STOP Moms for Liberty,” suggested that Trump’s campaign sees the organization as a means to rally suburban women, a crucial voter bloc. However, Republican strategist Shawn Frost noted that Trump’s endorsement might not resonate with “normal” suburban Republicans and independents.
As the election approaches, both major party candidates are intensifying their campaigns in key states. A recent USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump 48% to 43% following the Democratic National Convention.