Reign of Error with Sarah Posner

Iran, Christian Nationalism, and Holy War: Fissures in Christian MAGAism (Live Recording)

Brad Onishi hosts a live event panel with Sarah Posner, Dr. Julie Ingersoll, and Dr. Matthew D. Taylor on the religious dimensions of the Iran conflict and its effects on Christian nationalism and MAGA. Posner explains how influential Christian Zionists have long sought U.S. confrontation with Iran, tying it to end-times prophecy, unconditional support for Netanyahu, and Republican foreign policy influence through figures like John Hagee, Paula White, and ambassador Mike Huckabee. Ingersoll contrasts this with postmillennial Christian Reconstructionism linked to Doug Wilson and Pete Hegseth, noting no special theological role for Israel and emerging internal fissures over the war. Taylor describes Iran as a Shiite religious nationalist state and argues religious extremism on both sides amplifies escalation, highlighting NAR “spiritual warfare” against the “Prince of Persia.” As the discussion unfolds, the panel explores fractures within the religious right, including tensions between evangelicals and far-right Catholics, generational divides among Reconstructionists, and the uncertain political future of figures like J.D. Vance. With attention to media ecosystems, ideological alliances, and the role of key influencers, the episode situates the Iran conflict within a broader struggle over power, identity, and the future of American politics. The result is a nuanced portrait of a movement that is far from monolithic—and whose internal contradictions may prove as consequential as its external ambitions. Donate to Season 2: https://www.irmce.org/donate [https://www.irmce.org/donate] 00:00 Welcome and Panel Intro 02:27 Religious Stakes of Iran 05:49 Christian Zionist Playbook 10:05 Reconstructionists and Hegseth 15:01 NAR Spiritual Warfare 20:53 Huckabee and GOP Zionism 25:04 Reconstructionist Bro Culture Split 27:03 Catholic Right and Israel Rift 32:21 Sarah Pushes Back on Fissures 35:24 Catholic Trump Split 36:51 Protestant Infiltration Claims 37:31 Three MAGA Faith Factions 38:28 Post Trump Power Struggle 40:35 Catholics War Theology Gap 42:18 J D Vance 2028 Test 45:56 Billionaire Catholic Network 48:29 Kushner Media Blind Spots 51:27 Russia Israel Prophecy Lens 53:07 Pope Versus Trump Wedge 56:56 Midterms Economic Fallout 01:01:11 Wrap Up And Sign Off Creator: Sarah Posner: https://www.sarahposner.com/ [https://www.sarahposner.com/] Producer and Engineer: Dr. Ger FitzGerald Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Generous funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.

008: GOP’s Islamophobia Surge and the Christian Nationalist Agenda

This week on Reign of Error, host Sarah Posner speaks with Texas Monthly senior writer Robert Downen about how long-standing anti-Muslim activism has moved from the fringes of right-wing politics to the center of Texas GOP campaigns. They examine the role of Christian nationalist figures, right-wing media, and national operatives in fueling the backlash—from curriculum battles in Texas schools to calls to designate Muslim organizations as terrorist groups. The conversation also explores how fears about Sharia and Muslim “invasion” are intertwined with broader Christian nationalist efforts to redefine the United States as a “Judeo-Christian nation,” reshaping policy debates not just in Texas but across the country. Last week’s Texas Republican primaries were widely framed as a contest between an “establishment” Republican and a more extreme MAGA challenger. But when it came to Islamophobia, the differences between candidates were far less clear. Across races for Senate, attorney general, governor, and even railroad commissioner, Republican candidates competed to amplify anti-Muslim conspiracy theories—portraying Islam as a political ideology rather than a religion and warning of a supposed “Islamification” of Texas. The panic centers on claims about Sharia law and developments like the proposed EPIC City Muslim-centered community near Plano, which far-right activists have recast as evidence of a looming civilizational threat, despite Muslims making up only a small fraction of the state’s population. Robert Downen is a senior writer at Texas Monthly who often focuses on the intersection of politics and religion. Before joining TM in 2025, he covered politics and extremism for The Texas Tribune, where his work on the influence of far-right megadonors and white supremacists on the Texas GOP won or placed for numerous national investigative awards. A native of the Chicago suburbs, Robert arrived in Houston the day before Hurricane Harvey, and soon after, he began leading the Houston Chronicle’s groundbreaking coverage of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention—coverage that led to historic reforms, new laws in Texas, and a Department of Justice investigation. Additional Resources: Robert Downen, “Once Relegated to the Fringes, the Texas Far Right Had a Huge Election Day,” Texas Monthly, March 4, 2026, https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-primary-results-state-gop-drifting-rightward/ [https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-primary-results-state-gop-drifting-rightward/] Robert Downen, “What Does the Texas Railroad Commission Do? This Candidate Thinks It Fights ‘Radical Islamists,” Texas Monthly, November 26, 2025, https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/what-does-the-texas-railroad-commission-do-this-candidate-thinks-it-fights-radical-islamists/ [https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/what-does-the-texas-railroad-commission-do-this-candidate-thinks-it-fights-radical-islamists/] Robert Downen, “She Wanted to Speak on Anti-Muslim Bigotry. She Was Labeled a Terrorist Leader.,” Texas Monthly, November 21, 2025, https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-board-of-education-cair-terrorist-designation/ [https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-board-of-education-cair-terrorist-designation/] Patricia Mazzei, “Judge Blocks DeSantis’s Declaration of Muslim Group as Terrorist Organization,” New York Times, March 4, 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/us/desantis-cair-muslim-group-terrorist-organization.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/us/desantis-cair-muslim-group-terrorist-organization.html] Lauren McGaughy, “Austin Shooting Puts Islam at Center of Tuesday’s Primaries in Texas,” New York Times, March 2, 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/us/austin-shooting-politics.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/us/austin-shooting-politics.html] Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, “GOP lawmaker who called Muslims ‘savages’ wins House vote to brand CAIR a terrorist group,” Arizona Mirror, February 26, 2026, https://azmirror.com/2026/02/26/gop-lawmaker-who-called-muslims-savages-wins-house-vote-to-brand-cair-a-terrorist-group/ [https://azmirror.com/2026/02/26/gop-lawmaker-who-called-muslims-savages-wins-house-vote-to-brand-cair-a-terrorist-group/]  Mobashra Tazamal, “Islamophobia Takes Center Stage in the Lone Star State,” The Bridge Initiative, February 19, 2026, https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/islamophobia-takes-center-stage-in-the-lone-star-state/ [https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/islamophobia-takes-center-stage-in-the-lone-star-state/] Juliana Lightsey, “Ken Paxton Is No Stranger to Controversy. Here’s a Timeline of Nearly 20 Years of Scandals & Headlines.,” The Barbed Wire, February 17, 2026, https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/02/17/ken-paxton-scandal-timeline/ [https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/02/17/ken-paxton-scandal-timeline/] Dylan Duke, “Ken Paxton sues Council on American-Islamic Relations to shut down Texas operations,” KUT News, February 5, 2026, https://www.kut.org/texas/2026-02-05/ken-paxton-sues-council-on-american-islamic-relations-to-shut-them-down-in-texas [https://www.kut.org/texas/2026-02-05/ken-paxton-sues-council-on-american-islamic-relations-to-shut-them-down-in-texas] Liz Crampton and Jessica Piper, “Republicans go all-in on 'Sharia law' attacks ahead of Texas primary,” Politico, January 26, 2026, https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/26/republicans-go-all-in-on-sharia-law-attacks-ahead-of-texas-primary-00745647 [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/26/republicans-go-all-in-on-sharia-law-attacks-ahead-of-texas-primary-00745647] Penelope Rivera, “Gov. Abbott declares CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups,” November 18, 2025, https://www.keranews.org/politics/2025-11-18/gov-abbott-declares-cair-muslim-brotherhood-terrorist-groups [https://www.keranews.org/politics/2025-11-18/gov-abbott-declares-cair-muslim-brotherhood-terrorist-groups] Proclamation by the Governor of Texas, November 18, 2025, https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/PROC_declaring_Muslim_Brotherhood_and_CAIR_Transnational_Criminal_Organizations_IMAGE_11-18-2025.pdf [https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/PROC_declaring_Muslim_Brotherhood_and_CAIR_Transnational_Criminal_Organizations_IMAGE_11-18-2025.pdf] Jennifer Schuessler, “When DOGE Unleashed ChatGPT on the Humanities,” New York Times, March 7, 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/arts/humanities-endowment-doge-trump.html?searchResultPosition=1 [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/arts/humanities-endowment-doge-trump.html?searchResultPosition=1] Marisa Kabas, “Police body cam footage shows DOGE knew Institute of Peace was private property during raid,” The Handbasket, March 6, 2026 Depositions in MLA-ACLS-AHA Lawsuit Over the NEH, Modern Language Association YouTube Channel, https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKhlPKGDHqdxJoKIXwCmoQLrW2oWY8Pcp&si=303Vs2xNEzbbCYiR Creator: Sarah Posner: https://www.sarahposner.com/ [https://www.sarahposner.com/] Producer and Engineer: Dr. Ger FitzGerald Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Generous funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.

007: The Escalating War on Gender and Reproduction: Birth Control, Bathrooms & Biblical Patriarchy

Sarah Posner sits down with New York Magazine senior writer Sarah Jones to unpack the accelerating assault on transgender rights in Kansas and beyond. They trace how a new Kansas law retroactively invalidating updated gender markers on driver’s licenses fits into a broader, decades-long Christian right strategy—one that cloaks theological convictions in the language of “common sense” and “biology.” From spiritual warfare rhetoric in statehouses to Supreme Court signals about religious motivation, Posner and Jones explore how anti-trans legislation operates as both a wedge issue and a cornerstone of a hierarchical gender ideology rooted in patriarchy, biblical literalism, and political calculation. They connect these state-level efforts to federal actions under Trump—from executive orders to agency guidance on bathroom bans—and examine how figures like Pete Hegseth and his mentor Doug Wilson frame masculinity, authority, and power. The conversation widens to consider how anti-trans politics intersects with abortion criminalization, punitive theology, and the rise of pronatalism across MAGA and NatCon spaces. They analyze the confirmation hearing of Surgeon General nominee Casey Means, whose blend of anti–birth control rhetoric, “sacred fertility” language, and pseudoscientific wellness ideology has sparked backlash—even from Christian right influencers like Erick Erickson, who denounced her as dabbling in witchcraft. Posner and Jones probe the uneasy coalition between evangelical patriarchy and MAHA-style new age conspiracism, asking whether this radicalized right-wing alignment can outlast Trump—or simply mutate into something more extreme. The episode closes with Posner’s Anti-Doom segment, highlighting federal judges—some Trump-appointed—who are forcefully pushing back against unlawful immigration enforcement, reminding listeners that the constitutional order still has defenders. Sarah Jones is an award-winning senior writer for New York Magazine, where she covers religion and national politics. She serves on the editorial board of Dissent Magazine, and was previously a staff writer for The New Republic. Her first book, Disposable: America's Contempt for the Underclass, is available now from Avid Reader Press. She is based in Brooklyn.  Additional Resources Sarah Jones, Disposable: America's Contempt for the Underclass - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Disposable/Sarah-Jones/9781982197438 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Disposable/Sarah-Jones/9781982197438] Susan Rinkunas, “Prosecutors Keep Charging Women Who Have Abortions For Crimes They Did Not Commit,” Balls and Strikes, March 2, 2026, https://ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics/kentucky-abortion-charge-prosecutor-miranda-king/ [https://ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics/kentucky-abortion-charge-prosecutor-miranda-king/] Christopher Wiggins, “Conservative Supreme Court justices curb California’s effort to shield transgender students from forced outing,” The Advocate, March 2, 2026, https://www.advocate.com/news/education/supreme-court-forced-outing-transgender [https://www.advocate.com/news/education/supreme-court-forced-outing-transgender] Kyle Cheney, “Judges in a Trump stronghold condemn ICE tactics,” Politico, March 1, 2026, https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/01/west-virginia-immigration-rulings-00804575 [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/01/west-virginia-immigration-rulings-00804575] Ben Finley and Jamie Stengle, “Pentagon and Scouting America reach deal to keep ties after Hegseth’s anti-DEI push,” Associated Press, February 27, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/scouting-america-pentagon-military-boy-scouts-14a5fc1521fcd1e51103638f6f504214 [https://apnews.com/article/scouting-america-pentagon-military-boy-scouts-14a5fc1521fcd1e51103638f6f504214] Press Release, “EEOC Issues Federal Sector Appellate Decision Recognizing the Ability of Federal Agencies to Designate Intimate Spaces in Federal Workplaces by Sex,” February 26, 2026, https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-issues-federal-sector-appellate-decision-recognizing-ability-federal-agencies [https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-issues-federal-sector-appellate-decision-recognizing-ability-federal-agencies] Mattathias Schwartz, Zach Montague and Ernesto Londoño, “Judges Grow Angry Over Trump Administration Violating Their Orders,” New York Times, February 24, 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/us/politics/judges-contempt-immigration-trump.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/us/politics/judges-contempt-immigration-trump.html] John Hanna, “New law puts Kansas at vanguard of denying trans identities on drivers licenses, birth certificates,” Associated Press, February 22, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-drivers-licenses-birth-certificates-bathrooms-3048b856b81d24553efd9da4aaa94bc7 [https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-drivers-licenses-birth-certificates-bathrooms-3048b856b81d24553efd9da4aaa94bc7] Vivian Jones, “TN bill would allow death penalty for women who have an abortion,” The Tennessean, February 20, 2026, https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/20/tennessee-bill-death-penalty-women-abortion/88777975007/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/20/tennessee-bill-death-penalty-women-abortion/88777975007/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook] Stacey Saldanha-Olson, “Trans legislator in Kansas talks about decision that changed her life,” Topeka Capital Journal, February 13, 2026, https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2026/02/13/trans-legislator-in-kansas-talks-about-decision-that-changed-her-life/88550496007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z11xx99p117150c117150v11xx99&gca-ft=23&gca-ds=sophi [https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2026/02/13/trans-legislator-in-kansas-talks-about-decision-that-changed-her-life/88550496007/?gca-cat=p&gca-ds=sophi&gca-epti=z11xx99p117150c117150v11xx99&gca-ft=23&gca-uir=false&gnt-cfr=1] Zane Irwin, “Kansas lawmakers skirt public comment to pass bill on bathroom use by transgender people,” KCUR, January 29, 2026, https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-01-29/kansas-legislature-transgender-bathroom-bill-no-public-comment [https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-01-29/kansas-legislature-transgender-bathroom-bill-no-public-comment] Sarah Jones, “What a Diabetes Diagnosis Taught Me About MAHA,” New York Magazine, October 26, 2025, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-a-diabetes-diagnosis-taught-me-about-maha.html [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-a-diabetes-diagnosis-taught-me-about-maha.html]  Sarah Jones, “How New Age Women Turned Right,” New York Magazine, April 9, 2025, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/new-age-woman-amy-carlson.html [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/new-age-woman-amy-carlson.html] Sarah Jones, “The Nursemaids of National Conservatism At a conference on the future of the right, women are a resource for men.,” New York, July 11, 2024, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/women-national-conservatism-conference.html [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/women-national-conservatism-conference.html] Sarah Posner, “The Christian Nationalist Boot Camp Pushing Anti-Trans Laws Across America,” Type Investigations/Business Insider, September 21, 2022, https://www.typeinvestigations.org/investigation/2022/09/21/christian-nationalism-anti-trans-laws/ [https://www.typeinvestigations.org/investigation/2022/09/21/christian-nationalism-anti-trans-laws/] Sarah Posner, “The Secret History of Bathroom Bills,” Type Investigations/Rolling Stone, January 22, 2018, https://www.typeinvestigations.org/investigation/2018/01/22/secret-history-bathroom-bills/ [https://www.typeinvestigations.org/investigation/2018/01/22/secret-history-bathroom-bills/] Creator: Sarah Posner: https://www.sarahposner.com/ [https://www.sarahposner.com/] Producer and Engineer: Dr. Ger FitzGerald Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Generous funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.

006: Trump, the New Apostolic Reformation & the Battle for the Midterms

In this episode of Reign of Error, host Sarah Posner speaks with Matthew D. Taylor, visiting scholar at Georgetown University and author of The Violent Take It by Force, about the growing influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and charismatic Christian nationalism within Trump’s political machine. The conversation traces how figures like Paula White, Lance Wallnau, and Ché Ahn are mobilizing spiritual warfare theology, modern-day prophecy, and dominionist ideas to energize evangelical voters ahead of the midterms. Taylor explains how the National Faith Advisory Board functions as a bridge between Trump and charismatic Christian leaders, advancing a vision in which apostles and prophets “disciple nations” by taking positions of political power. From election denialism to aggressive Christian Zionism and support for confrontation with Iran, this movement frames American politics as a literal battle against demonic forces. The episode also examines how this rhetoric translates into concrete political strategy — from mobilizing swing-state revival tours to backing legislation like the SAVE Act and portraying immigration enforcement as a form of spiritual exorcism. Posner and Taylor unpack the theological logic that casts political opponents, immigrants, and protestors as agents of demonic power, a framework that undermines democratic pluralism and normalizes authoritarian tactics in the name of divine mandate. The show concludes with Posner’s “Anti-Doom” segment, highlighting acts of resistance — including whistleblower testimony exposing unconstitutional ICE training practices — as reminders that accountability and courage persist even amid escalating Christian nationalist activism. Matthew D. Taylor is a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. He is the author of Scripture People, The Violent Take It by Force, and the forthcoming book Defying Tyrants, which will be published in October. His work has appeared or been featured in the New York Times, Weekend Edition, On the Media, Rolling Stone, The Bulwark, Politico, Sojourners, and Religion News Service. A theologian and religious studies scholar who specializes in American Islam, Christian nationalism, and Christian extremism, he is also the creator of two limited podcast series–American Unexceptionalism and Charismatic Revival Fury. Taylor holds a PhD from Georgetown University and an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. * https://matthewdtaylor.substack.com/ [https://matthewdtaylor.substack.com/] * https://x.com/TaylorMatthewD [https://x.com/TaylorMatthewD] * https://bsky.app/profile/matthewdtaylor.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/matthewdtaylor.bsky.social] * https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497785/The-Violent-Take-It-by-Force [https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497785/The-Violent-Take-It-by-Force] Additional Resources: Matthew D. Taylor, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books 2024) Ariel Edwards-Levy and Jennifer Agiesta, “Trump’s approval rating with independents hits a new low ahead of the State of the Union,” CNN, February 23, 2026, https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/politics/trump-approval-rating-independents-cnn-poll [https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/politics/trump-approval-rating-independents-cnn-poll] Nick Turse, “Kristi Noem Repeatedly Claimed ICE Deported a Cannibal. It Was ‘Completely Made Up’,” The Intercept, February 23, 2026, https://theintercept.com/2026/02/23/kristi-noem-ice-cannibal/ [https://theintercept.com/2026/02/23/kristi-noem-ice-cannibal/] Dan Balz and Scott Clement, “60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds,” Washington Post, February 22, 2026, https://wapo.st/4tQBNyk [https://wapo.st/4tQBNyk] Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll Feb. 12-17, 2026 (crosstabs) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17c2tXnNkasvEwK2aW8yF2PizYJfge7UsZAA7-5FrV6k/edit?gid=0#gid=0 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17c2tXnNkasvEwK2aW8yF2PizYJfge7UsZAA7-5FrV6k/edit?gid=0#gid=0] Melanie Lidman and Samy Magdy, “US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context,” Associated Press, February 22, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-news-02-22-2026-17cc3abc5002151a81b55cb6acd35463 [https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-news-02-22-2026-17cc3abc5002151a81b55cb6acd35463] Sam Mednick and Samy Magdy, “US ambassador causes uproar by claiming Israel has a right to much of the Middle East,” Associated Press, February 21, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/israel-ambassador-huckabee-middle-east-arab-muslim-e88a235c48bfb904f0ee7f8a72edf250 [https://apnews.com/article/israel-ambassador-huckabee-middle-east-arab-muslim-e88a235c48bfb904f0ee7f8a72edf250] Benjamin Swasey, “A Republican plan to overhaul voting is back. Here's what's new in the bill,” NPR, February 19, 2026, https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5719252/trump-voting-save-america-act-explainer [https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5719252/trump-voting-save-america-act-explainer] Michael Waldman, “The SAVE Act and the Election Power Grab,” Brennan Center, February 10, 2026, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/save-act-and-election-power-grab [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/save-act-and-election-power-grab] Kyle Mantyla, “'Pray For The Midterms': MAGA Cultist Lance Wallnau Warns The Election Could Be A 'Bloodbath',” Right Wing Watch, February 5, 2026, https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/pray-midterms-maga-cultist-lance-wallnau-warns-election-could-be-bloodbath [https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/pray-midterms-maga-cultist-lance-wallnau-warns-election-could-be-bloodbath] David Nakamura and Sarah Blaskey, “Ex-ICE instructor testifies that agency slashed officer training, lied to Congress,” Washington Post, February 23, 2026, https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/02/23/former-ice-instructor-says-agency-slashed-training-new-officers/ [https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/02/23/former-ice-instructor-says-agency-slashed-training-new-officers/] Creator: Sarah Posner: https://www.sarahposner.com/ [https://www.sarahposner.com/] Producer and Engineer: Dr. Ger FitzGerald Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Generous funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.

005: MAGA Catholics, Antisemitism & Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Implosion

On this episode of Reign of Error, investigative journalist Sarah Posner unpacks the implosion of Donald Trump’s White House Religious Liberty Commission after a chaotic hearing at the Museum of the Bible exposed deep fractures inside the MAGA coalition. Former beauty queen and recent Catholic convert Carrie Prejean Boller sparked outrage with antisemitic rhetoric tied to right-wing influencer Candace Owens, igniting a public feud with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and drawing backlash from conservative Catholics and evangelicals alike. Posner and scholar Matthew J. Cressler explore how debates over Zionism, Christian nationalism, and the phrase “Christ is King” reveal a growing split between traditional religious-right leaders and a digitally fueled Catholic far-right operating in Trump’s social media ecosystem. The conversation traces how figures like Nick Fuentes, Owens, and other MAGA Catholics deploy antisemitic tropes rooted in older Catholic anti-communist and anti-Jewish traditions, now amplified by online platforms and political patronage. From clashes over Vatican teaching and Christian Zionism to tensions with evangelical allies, this episode examines whether the MAGA movement’s Catholic wing is on a collision course with both the broader GOP and the institutional Church. Plus, in this week’s “Anti-Doom,” Posner highlights a federal court ruling restoring a slavery exhibit removed under Trump’s executive order—an important victory in the ongoing fight over American history and truth. Matthew J. Cressler, Ph.D. is a writer, independent scholar, and chief of staff of the Corporation for Public Interest Technology. He is the author of Authentically Black and Truly Catholic: The Rise of Black Catholicism in the Great Migrations [https://nyupress.org/9781479880966/authentically-black-and-truly-catholic/] and creator of https://badcatholics-comics.org/Bad Catholics, Good Trouble [https://badcatholics-comics.org/], the educational webcomic series. He’s written for America, The Atlantic, National Catholic Reporter, The Revealer, Slate, U.S. Catholic, and numerous academic journals. He co-reported the Religion News Service series “Beyond the Most Segregated Hour,” which won a Wilbur Award from the Religion Communicators Council. He has two forthcoming books under contract: the co-authored Body & Blood: Catholic Horror in America, due out from NYU Press this Halloween, and Catholics and the Making of MAGA: How an Immigrant Church Became America’s Law and Order Faith, which is set to be published by HarperCollins in fall 2027. * Matthew’s professional website (https://matthewjcressler.com/ [https://matthewjcressler.com/])  * Matthew’s webcomic website (https://badcatholics-comics.org/ [https://badcatholics-comics.org/]). Additional Resources Yair Rosenberg, “Carrie Prejean Boller Is Not Going Quietly,” The Atlantic, February 12, 2026, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/carrie-prejean-boller-religious-liberty/685987/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/carrie-prejean-boller-religious-liberty/685987/?gift=Iqzl5-VJxwPkwKvpnSULV1MOWnALmma7GNw_qCTrd2s] Will Sommer, “Candace Owens Gets Inside TPUSA’s Head,” The Bulwark, February 12, 2026, https://www.thebulwark.com/p/candace-owens-tpusa-charlie-kirk-death-conspiracy-theories-elijah-schaffer [https://www.thebulwark.com/p/candace-owens-tpusa-charlie-kirk-death-conspiracy-theories-elijah-schaffer] Mira Fox, “What Carrie Prejean Boller tells us about Christian Zionism in the US,” The Forward, February 11, 2026, https://forward.com/culture/804601/carrie-prejean-christian-zionism-religious-liberties-council/ [https://forward.com/culture/804601/carrie-prejean-christian-zionism-religious-liberties-council/] The Editorial Board, “Hijacking Trump’s Religious Liberty Council,” Wall Street Journal, February 10, 2026, https://www.wsj.com/opinion/carrie-prejean-boller-religious-liberty-commission-white-house-israel-palestine-85bbbba8?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink [https://www.wsj.com/opinion/carrie-prejean-boller-religious-liberty-commission-white-house-israel-palestine-85bbbba8?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] Kate Scanlon, Catholic member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission sparks tense exchange over antisemitism and Israel, America, February 10, 2026, https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/02/10/religious-liberty-commission-prejean-boller-catholic-antisemitism-israel/ [https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/02/10/religious-liberty-commission-prejean-boller-catholic-antisemitism-israel/] Joel Swanson, “Zionism was never a single concept. We should be grateful to JFNA’s survey for the reminder.,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, February 9, 2026, https://www.jta.org/2026/02/09/ideas/zionism-was-never-a-single-concept-we-should-be-grateful-to-jfnas-survey-for-the-reminder [https://www.jta.org/2026/02/09/ideas/zionism-was-never-a-single-concept-we-should-be-grateful-to-jfnas-survey-for-the-reminder] Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, The Interfaith Alliance v. Trump, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Civil Action No. 1:26-cv-01075, February 9, 2026, https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FACA-1-Complaint.pdf [https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FACA-1-Complaint.pdf] Chip Rotolo and Gregory A. Smith, “White evangelicals remain among Trump’s strongest supporters, but they’re less supportive than a year ago,” Pew Research Center, February 9, 2026,https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/02/09/white-evangelicals-remain-among-trumps-strongest-supporters-but-theyre-less-supportive-than-a-year-ago [https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/02/09/white-evangelicals-remain-among-trumps-strongest-supporters-but-theyre-less-supportive-than-a-year-ago] Hannah Hartig, Scott Keeter, Andrew Daniller and Ted Van Green, “Voting patterns in the 2024 election,” Pew Research Center, June 26, 2025, https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/06/26/voting-patterns-in-the-2024-election/ [https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/06/26/voting-patterns-in-the-2024-election/] The White House, “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Religious Liberty Commission,” May 1, 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-religious-liberty-commission/ [https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-religious-liberty-commission/] Center on Extremism, Candace Owens Backgrounder, Anti-Defamation League, August 27, 2024, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/candace-owens [https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/candace-owens] Camden Carter and Jack Winstanley, “Right-wing and far-right media throw their support behind Candace Owens amid her antisemitism and departure from Daily Wire,” Media Matters, March 27, 2024, https://www.mediamatters.org/candace-owens/right-wing-and-far-right-media-throw-their-support-behind-candace-owens-amid-her [https://www.mediamatters.org/candace-owens/right-wing-and-far-right-media-throw-their-support-behind-candace-owens-amid-her] Matt Gertz, “A mask-off week for right-wing antisemitism,” Media Matters, November 21, 2023,  https://www.mediamatters.org/elon-musk/its-antisemitism-stupid [https://www.mediamatters.org/elon-musk/its-antisemitism-stupid] Creator: Sarah Posner: https://www.sarahposner.com/ [https://www.sarahposner.com/] Producer and Engineer: Dr. Ger FitzGerald Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Generous funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.