America’s democracy is under siege—not just by far-right extremists, but by a well-funded alliance of Christian Nationalists and corporate elites. This unholy partnership is not a coincidence; it is a deliberate, long-term strategy designed to reshape the country into a rigid theocracy where billionaires hoard power and working people are stripped of their rights.
Christian Nationalists provide the foot soldiers, the outrage and the moral justification for policies that erode personal freedoms. Meanwhile, corporate elites bankroll the movement, ensuring that tax cuts, deregulation and worker exploitation continue unchecked. One side fuels the culture war while the other reaps the economic rewards.
And if we don’t act now, their control will become irreversible.
2026: The Year That Determines Whether Democracy Survives
If the opposition to the Christian right fails to build real power before 2026, this alliance will cement its grip on the American government for decades. Their endgame is clear:
They want to control the courts—so corporate power and religious extremism remain legally protected. This is happening by suppressing voters—so marginalized communities lose their political voice; dismantling labor rights—so corporations can exploit workers without accountability and enforcing religious doctrine through law—banning abortion, attacking LGBTQ+ rights and restricting bodily autonomy.
Christian Nationalists Built an Empire
For 50 years, Christian Nationalists have invested in right-wing media, legal networks and grassroots infrastructure—a massive ecosystem designed to shape public opinion, policy, and the courts. If Americans who oppose this extremism don’t come together, democracy will be lost.
2026 Midterm Elections Can Bring Change
- Independent media must dominate the narrative: Independent outlets, influencers and rapid-response messaging teams must counter disinformation in real time.
- Legal networks must defend democracy: Attorneys must be on the ground to fight voter suppression and right-wing legal maneuvers.
- Grassroots organizing must be massive and permanent: We need 10 million trained activists engaging voters year-round, not just during election season.
- We must take control of the policy agenda: Opponents of Christian Nationalism must lead the conversation, not react to right-wing attacks.
- We need independent funding streams: Long-term investments in strong infrastructure will break our reliance on election-cycle donations.
This Is Our Moment of Truth
If we do not act now, the Christian Nationalist-corporate alliance will cement its control over the courts, state legislatures and Congress for decades to come.
The 2026 midterms is not just another election—it is our last chance to stop the march toward authoritarianism. The question is: Will Americans join together to build the institutions necessary to win, or will we let democracy slip away?
This MFP Voices opinion essay does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.