White evangelical Christians are among President Trump’s most important supporters. But more than 40 years ago, they were on the margins of American politics.

Get our weekly newsletter

The Roots of Evangelicals’ Political Fervor

Producer: Shawn Hamilton, Sandra McDaniel and Scott Michels
Editor: Anne Checler

Related:
Religion and Right-Wing Politics: How Evangelicals Reshaped Elections by Clyde Haberman

TranscriptLesson Plan

More Like This

How Black Women Fought Racism and Sexism for the Right to Vote
Watch now
How Black Women Fought Racism and Sexism for the Right to Vote

African American women played a significant and sometimes overlooked role in the struggle to gain the vote.

Lessons from the 1976 Republican Convention: Why Ronald Reagan Lost the Nomination|
Watch now
Lessons from the 1976 Republican Convention: Why Ronald Reagan Lost the Nomination|

In 1976, Ronald Reagan found owning the soul of a party isn’t the same as taking home its nomination.

Impeached: How Presidents Handled it -- Trump vs. Clinton.
Watch now
Impeached: How Presidents Handled it -- Trump vs. Clinton.

How can a president continue to govern with an impeachment trial looming? President Clinton and President Trump adopted very different strategies.

Political Debates: What the Unforgettable Moments Reveal
Watch now
Political Debates: What the Unforgettable Moments Reveal

High-stakes debates put candidates in the hot seat. But are they helpful to voters?

More on the Story

Related Coverage
Religion and Right-Wing Politics: How Evangelicals Reshaped ElectionsThe New York Times
Religion and Right-Wing Politics: How Evangelicals Reshaped ElectionsThe New York Times