Trump tamped down fights over abortion and marriage. Conservative activists want to bring them back in 2028

Reviving the Culture War: Social Conservatives Prepare for 2028

Trump tamped down fights over abortion – As the Republican Party looks ahead to the 2028 presidential election, a faction of social conservatives is signaling a return to the political battlegrounds they once dominated. For years, these activists have worked to frame cultural issues as central to the party’s identity, but their efforts have largely taken a backseat since President Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024. Now, with the former president’s influence waning and a new era of GOP leadership emerging, groups like SBA Pro-Life America are positioning themselves to reignite the fight over abortion, same-sex marriage, and other traditional values. The Faith and Freedom Coalition, a long-standing advocate for conservative Christian voters, continues to emphasize “protecting life” and “strengthening marriage” as key priorities, yet its members are increasingly determined to push these issues into the spotlight again.

The Unseen Push Behind the Scenes

While the coalition’s annual Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C., this week highlighted unity around core principles, it also revealed a subtle shift in strategy. Though abortion and same-sex marriage were mentioned sparingly in speeches, activists are quietly mobilizing to ensure these topics are front and center in the next presidential race. According to SBA Pro-Life America, one of the leading anti-abortion organizations, the group is already planning how to leverage the early stages of the 2028 nomination process in key states like Iowa and South Carolina. This includes targeting candidates who may not yet have a clear stance on abortion, with the goal of establishing a nationwide cutoff for procedures after a specific point in pregnancy.

“We’re being clear early on … if you want to win in Iowa and South Carolina and to be the GOP nominee and become president, you have to have a bold and clear position on abortion and commitment to life,” said Kelsey Pritchard, a spokeswoman for SBA Pro-Life America.

These efforts come as part of a broader campaign to reframe the Republican Party’s platform. For decades, the Faith and Freedom Coalition has served as a bridge between conservative Christians and the broader GOP electorate, but its members are now pushing for more direct engagement. The coalition’s focus on religious values has historically been a cornerstone of Republican politics, yet recent years have seen a gradual erosion of its influence. Now, with Trump out of the White House and the party’s platform evolving, social conservatives are preparing to reclaim their role in shaping the national discourse.

Legal Foundations Under Threat

One of the most significant developments in this movement is the launch of a new initiative by a coalition of groups aimed at challenging the legal status of same-sex marriage. Since the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, the issue has become a less prominent focus for Republican campaigns. However, the coalition is now working to reverse that trend, targeting not only the legality of same-sex marriage but also the ability of gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. This marks a strategic move to reintroduce a divisive topic into the political arena, where it could galvanize voters and reframe the party’s messaging.

At the same time, conservative leaders are exploring new frontiers in the culture war. A growing number of Republican officials have called for stricter regulations on surrogacy, arguing that the practice could be used to undermine traditional family structures. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, for instance, recently likened commercial surrogacy to “modern day slavery,” emphasizing the need to restrict it. This rhetoric has already sparked debates in Congress, where lawmakers have introduced legislation to limit surrogacy options for LGBTQ+ couples. Such measures are seen as a way to expand the scope of cultural issues while appealing to religiously motivated voters.

Trump’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

President Trump’s ability to manage the party’s cultural agenda has been a defining feature of his political career. By sidelining contentious issues like abortion and same-sex marriage during his 2024 campaign, he allowed Republicans to prioritize economic and national security concerns, which were more aligned with his base. Yet, this approach has left some activists feeling frustrated, as they believe the party has abandoned its roots in favor of pragmatic compromise. Steve Deace, a prominent conservative commentator, noted that Trump’s unique combination of personal brand and political power enabled him to dominate the narrative without facing backlash from his core supporters.

“We’re never going to have a personality like Trump again — that combination of brand and political power will never rest in the hands of one figure ever again,” Deace said.

With Trump no longer at the helm, the Republican Party is facing a new challenge: how to maintain the same level of influence over social issues without his leadership. Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, argued that the party is entering this phase from a stronger position than ever before. “The Republican Party is going to have to figure out how to play offense on all of these issues,” he said. “If you’re not figuring out how to go on offense, you’re either being lazy or boring.” Schilling pointed to recent Gallup data, which shows declining public support for same-sex marriage and a reduction in moral acceptance of other traditional norms, as evidence that the time is ripe for a renewed push.

Gallup’s findings reveal that support for same-sex marriage has dropped from a peak of 71% in 2022 to below 68% in the past three years. Similarly, the acceptance of having a child out of wedlock has declined, while birth control remains popular but at its lowest level since the survey began 15 years ago. These trends suggest a growing appetite among voters for more conservative policies, which could be exploited by activists eager to reclaim the party’s cultural platform. Schilling believes that Republicans can use this momentum to reframe their identity as defenders of traditional values, rather than simply compromising for electoral gain.

Waiting for the Right Moment

Despite the increasing urgency of these efforts, there are still signs of patience within the Faith and Freedom Coalition. At the recent conference, the group’s leaders emphasized unity over division, with little public pressure directed at Trump himself. This cautious approach reflects a recognition of the former president’s enduring influence, even as he steps down from the White House. However, as the 2028 race approaches, activists are likely to become more aggressive in their demands.

“Inside the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual Road to Majority conference, though, there was little indication that activists were eager to pressure Trump himself – or force him to re-engage on a topic he has all but made off-limits leading up to the midterms,” the article noted. This suggests that while the coalition may not be ready to challenge Trump directly, it is actively laying the groundwork for a future where cultural issues once again take center stage. With millions of dollars allocated for advocacy and a clear strategy in place, social conservatives are poised to reshape the political landscape in their favor.

As the GOP prepares for the next presidential cycle, the focus on abortion and same-sex marriage is expected to intensify. These issues, long considered the cornerstone of the conservative movement, could become defining elements of the 2028 campaign. By aligning with candidates who prioritize traditional values and using data-driven strategies to appeal to persuadable voters, activists hope to ensure that the party remains aligned with its base. The coming years will be critical in determining whether this push succeeds in reinvigorating the culture war or if it can create a new dynamic that balances religious values with broader political goals.