Dr. Melissa Deckman on America’s Cracks: Trumpism, Gen Z, and the Faith Factor

What PRRI’s Latest Data Reveals About Our Deepening Divide

In the shadow of rising polarization, this episode dives deep into the latest findings from PRRI's American Values Survey, Trump’s Unprecedented Actions Deepen Asymmetric Divides. Corey is joined by Dr. Melissa Deckman to break down the data—and what it tells us about party loyalty, trust in institutions, Christian nationalism, and shifting norms around religion and identity.

They also unpack how Gen Z is engaging with this cultural landscape, particularly the gender divide between young men and women, and what the term “party agnostic” really means for the next generation of voters.

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⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics

• [00:00] Welcome & Dr. Deckman’s backstory and PRRI’s mission

• [00:08] From academia to leading PRRI: a bigger classroom

• [00:15] Understanding PRRI’s gold-standard polling methods

• [00:22] Good vs. bad polling: what to watch out for

• [00:27] Gen Z women, the 2024 elections, and the myth of the “tradwife”

• [00:33] Why Gen Z is “party agnostic” and focused on issues over institutions

• [00:40] Masculinity, natalism, and TikTok trends among Gen Z

• [00:46] The polarization puzzle: institutions, independents, and asymmetric divides

• [00:53] Christian nationalism’s rise—and resistance

• [00:58] Who are the “exvangelicals” and why are they leaving?

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Gen Z ≠ monolithic: Gen Z women remain highly progressive; young men are more ideologically mixed

• Polls aren’t predictions: They’re snapshots, and question design is key

• Christian nationalism challenges democracy—but pluralism still prevails

• Exvangelicals leave due to politicization and LGBTQ exclusion

• Media silos are splitting Gen Z worldviews by gender

💬 Notable Quotes

“We don’t beat up the photographer if the runner in the lead ends up losing. So why do we do that to pollsters?” “Religion can hinder—but also foster—democracy.” “Gen Z women are not buying what MAGA is selling.” “Good polling is as much art as science.”

🛠️ Resources Mentioned

• Public Religion Research Institute - prri.org
• American Values Survey - prri.org/american-values-survey
• The Politics of Gen Z by Dr. Melissa Deckman - cup.columbia.edu/book/the-politics-of-gen-z/9780231560085/

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