In the 2024 election, Catholic voters emerged as significant winners, with President Trump securing a substantial victory among this demographic. Shawn Carney, the founder of 40 Days For Life, highlighted the importance of this outcome, emphasizing that Trump had decisively won the Catholic vote. Carney pointed out that the absence of Vice President Harris at the Al Smith Dinner, a notable event for Catholics, was perceived negatively by the community.
Carney expressed concerns about the Biden-Harris administration's stance towards Catholics and religion, suggesting a lack of respect and even hostility. He referenced instances where the administration had targeted Catholics and pro-lifers, fostering a sentiment of antipathy towards the Catholic community.
Exit polling data from the election night revealed a significant shift in Catholic support towards Trump, with a nine-percentage-point swing in his favor compared to the previous election. Trump managed to secure a 10-point lead among Catholic voters, a notable increase from the 2020 election where Catholics were evenly split between Trump and Biden.
The surge in Catholic support for Trump exceeded expectations at the national level and was particularly pronounced in critical swing states. The margin of Catholic voters favoring Trump was notably higher in these key battlegrounds, underscoring the impact of the Catholic vote in shaping the election outcome.
