Money, Lies, and God

Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy

Bloomsbury presents Money, Lies, and God by Katherine Stewart, read by Patricia Rodriguez.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY FOREIGN AFFAIRS

From the acclaimed author of The Power Worshippers, “an indispensable citizen’s guide to the anti-democratic MAGA Right.” —Congressman Jamie Raskin

“An eerily prescient guide to the phantasmagoria of our political moment.” —Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times

"Meticulously researched, elegantly written, and hard-hitting."–Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Why have so many Americans turned against democracy? In this deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart takes us to conferences of conspiracy-mongers, backroom strategy gatherings, and services at extremist churches, and profiles the people who want to tear it all down. She introduces us to reactionary Catholic activists, atheist billionaires, pseudo-Platonist intellectuals, self-appointed apostles of Jesus, disciples of Ayn Rand, women-hating opponents of “the gynocracy,” pronatalists preoccupied with the dearth of white babies, Covid truthers, militia members masquerading as “concerned moms,” and battalions of spirit warriors who appear to be inventing a new style of religion even as they set about attacking democracy at its foundations.

Along the way, she provides a compelling analysis of the authoritarian reaction in the United States. She demonstrates that the movement relies on several distinct constituencies, with very different and often conflicting agendas. Stewart’s reporting and comprehensive political analysis helps reframe the conversation about the moral collapse of conservatism in America and points the way toward a democratic future.

©2025 Katherine Stewart (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Quality of research

So eye-opening and terrifying it should be included in horror section. Definitely a call to action.

Lack of meaningful chapter titles

I never was sure what this—overall—was going to be about. I was unfamiliar with most of the religious persons names, locations, positions. Yet, the book was so comprehensive, I got a lot out of it. No regrets about listening.

Wish it was written for all

Don’t get me wrong. This is a much needed book. And great for those who to their bone are democrats and needed validation in what we are witnessing in this country. However this isn’t a book I’d share because of the vocabulary being so left winged.

Wake-up Call for Democracy Supporters

Critically important info for any rational, critical thinker who is committed to democracy and the country

Money, Lies, and God is an eye-opener

Katherine Stewart’s Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy is an indictment of the far-right coalition threatening U.S. democratic institutions. The goal of this network of ultra-wealthy donors, think tanks, and religious groups is nothing less than the dismantling of American democracy. They want to blow it up and replace it with a minority rule autocracy.

This didn't begin with Donald Trump's election, and it won't end when he leaves office. Its ideology is termed “reactionary nihilism,” and it seeks to replace democracy with a theocratic, white Christian nationalist order. It rejects pluralism, rational debate, and the rule of law, embracing violence and bigotry as tools of control. It is a long-term, well-organized, grass-roots effort that starts with attacks on our public school system to destroy it entirely and create a generation of ignorant, malleable people.

This book is a call to recognize the existential threat to democracy, urging citizens to confront the networks of oligarchic power and religious ideology reshaping America. Rational people must wake up and oppose this movement in any way possible.