In his third White House bid, Donald Trump is aligning himself with Moms for Liberty, a conservative parents group focused on banning certain topics related to sexuality, gender, and race in education. Trump’s agenda mirrors the organization’s efforts, but recent setbacks in Florida, where the group originated, have brought their effectiveness into question. Despite early successes pulling school boards to the right and working with Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand parental rights, Moms for Liberty-backed candidates suffered losses in local elections, leading to doubts about the organization’s impact.
The organization’s electoral losses are not just limited to Florida, as fewer than one-third of school board candidates endorsed by Moms for Liberty won their races in 2023. Critics argue that the organization’s brand has become more toxic due to its partisan politics and involvement in culture wars. Despite this, Trump’s decision to address Moms for Liberty shows his support for their cause. The organization, with over 130,000 members in 48 states, maintains that it has been instrumental in passing new laws in several states.
Heading into the 2024 election, Moms for Liberty plans to spend over $3 million in key presidential battlegrounds to criticize the Biden administration’s education policies. The organization, which has shifted its focus to national politics, is closely aligned with the GOP and conservative groups. Trump has made promises to give favorable treatment to public schools that elect their principals, a proposal that Moms for Liberty does not back. The organization has deepened its ties to the Heritage Foundation and was involved in Project 2025, a plan for a potential second Trump term.
At the Moms for Liberty summit, discussions will center on cultural battles in education, such as protecting children from gender transitions and the history of Marxism. Trump has pledged to use executive power to address issues like transgender participation in sports and left-wing indoctrination in schools. While some believe that the damage from such rhetoric has already been done, the organization remains committed to making changes in education. Despite pushback in states like Florida, Moms for Liberty shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.
Overall, Moms for Liberty’s influence in the Republican Party has expanded, but recent electoral losses and criticism of its platform have raised doubts about its effectiveness. Trump’s alignment with the organization highlights the ongoing cultural battles in education and his support for banning certain topics from classrooms. The organization’s future plans include continued involvement in national politics and efforts to enact reforms in education. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Moms for Liberty remains steadfast in its mission to influence education policies and protect parental rights.
