30/06/2026 14:30 - 15:30

HALL: Parenzo - A13

Contact: Espinosa G.

Chair: Lacorne D.

Religion, Race (Blacks & Latinos), Inequality and the 2024 Election


Panel Description
This panel explores the critical role of religion and race in shaping why Blacks and Latinos voted for billionaire Presidential candidate and Donald Trump at rates higher than expected, instead of voting for a woman of color - Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. It analyzes the reasons why this happened despite Trump's well-earned perception of being anti-minority, anti-immigrant, anti-woman and pro-big business.



Session Chair, Denis Lacorne (PhD Yale), CERI at Sciences Po, Paris, France


Denis Lacorne is a senior research fellow with CERI at Sciences Po. A commentator on American Politics in Europe, his books include Religion in America: A Political History.




Presenter, R. Drew Smith (PhD Yale), Hillman Professor of Urban Ministry, Pittsburgh Seminary


The 2024 Election, Counter-Culturalism & Black Religio-Political Fluidities


This presentation examines African American voters' surprisingly strong support for Donald Trump in the 2024 elections, including from black conservative Christians who embrace restrictions on reproductive rights, gay rights, and immigrant expansions within the US; and from black sports and HipHop figures who resonate with Trump's iconoclasm and projections of strength. Dr. Smith's books include From Every Mountainside: Black Churches and the Broad Terrain of Civil Rights.




Presenter, Gastón Espinosa (PhD UC Santa Barbara), Arthur V. Stoughton Professor of Religious Studies, Claremont McKenna College


Latino Religion, Politics, Inequality and the 2024 Election


This presentation explores the influence of religion in shaping why Latinos who suffer from inequality & normally vote Democrat voted for Trump in record numbers, even though he was often perceived as anti-immigrant, anti-minority, and pro-big business. Dr. Espinosa's books include Religion, Race, Gender & U.S. Presidency (forthcoming).