Editor’s Note: This is the fifth and final installment in our series examining the 2024 election results and what they reveal about America’s evolving political landscape. The American Salient delves into the broader rightward shift and the cultural, social, and economic forces driving it.
America is moving right. That’s the undeniable message of the 2024 election. Voters from suburbs to rural counties, from coastal regions to the heartland, are rejecting the progressive agenda and embracing a conservative vision. This shift isn’t just a political moment; it’s a cultural realignment, a shift that echoes the values, priorities, and concerns of a public fed up with ideological experiments and ready to return to the basics.
In a way, it feels like a long-overdue correction. After years of progressive influence, particularly in education, media, and government, the American public seems to be saying, “Enough.” They want policies that make sense, leadership that actually listens, and a culture that reflects their values. If 2024 has taught us anything, it’s this: America is moving rightward, and it’s bringing a seismic change in priorities with it.
Rejecting the Progressive Status Quo
The Democratic Party’s message in 2024 revolved around a promise to “fight fascism,” “defend democracy,” and, of course, “unify the nation.” But here’s the irony: the voters saw that promise for what it was—a repackaging of old, tired rhetoric. From attacks on basic liberties to pushing radical social agendas, the progressive policies of the Biden years turned out to be as divisive as they were ineffective. This election wasn’t just a referendum on policies; it was a referendum on a progressive worldview that had overreached.
Americans have grown weary of being lectured on what they should believe, how they should speak, and who they should accept. They’re tired of a cancel culture that punishes dissent and an activist agenda that prioritizes the latest trend over common sense. The 2024 election sent a message: voters are done with being told what’s best for them. They’re ready to make their own choices—and they’re making it clear that those choices lean right.
A Cultural Shift Rooted in Traditional Values
What’s unfolding is more than a political realignment; it’s a return to traditional American values. For years, the left dominated cultural institutions, steering the conversation on issues ranging from gender to education to public policy. But in 2024, voters showed they’re ready to pull the wheel back. They want to see a culture that respects family, values faith, and upholds freedom—not one that seems determined to rewrite everything that made America what it is.
This cultural shift is perhaps best reflected in the growing rejection of progressive social agendas. Issues like forced pronoun usage, the erasure of women’s sports, and the prioritization of fringe identities over mainstream realities have alienated a broad swath of Americans. People want to raise their families, go to work, and trust that their country respects their values. For many, the right offers a return to normalcy in a world that’s become increasingly unrecognizable.
Economic Pragmatism Over Ideology
If there’s one area where this rightward shift is especially clear, it’s in the economy. Progressive policies have long been heavy on promises and light on results. From sky-high inflation to crippling regulations, the Biden administration’s economic agenda left many Americans feeling the squeeze. By contrast, conservatives are increasingly seen as the party of pragmatic, job-centered solutions. Americans want economic growth, but they want growth that benefits them—not a global elite or a bureaucratic class that seems intent on taxing every facet of life.
Voters rejected the ideologically driven spending and social programs of the left, choosing instead a vision of fiscal responsibility and pro-growth policies. They want leaders who understand that a strong economy doesn’t come from endless subsidies or unsustainable debt; it comes from innovation, entrepreneurship, and policies that actually support working Americans. The message from voters is clear: ideology takes a back seat to economic pragmatism.
Toward a More Unified Conservative Movement
What’s striking about the 2024 results is how they’ve unified a once-diverse conservative movement. This is no longer just a coalition of fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, and libertarians. The movement has broadened, drawing in disillusioned independents, moderate Democrats, and working-class voters who feel alienated by the progressive agenda. This new coalition has the potential to reshape American politics for years to come.
Yet, with this newfound unity comes responsibility. Conservatives will need to balance a wide array of priorities and ensure that their policies speak to this broader coalition. Voters have made it clear that they support a conservative approach, but it’s up to conservative leaders to prove that their agenda can address the real issues Americans face. If they succeed, they won’t just have a temporary victory—they’ll have a lasting legacy.
A Realignment Built on Freedom, Faith, and Family
At the heart of this rightward shift lies a commitment to core American values. Freedom, faith, family—these are not just buzzwords; they’re the foundation of a movement that’s committed to restoring what America has always stood for. The 2024 election is the beginning of a realignment that prioritizes personal liberty over government control, national interests over global entanglements, and traditional values over radical social experiments.
For those who have longed for an America that respects the individual and embraces common sense, this is a hopeful moment. The rightward shift in American politics isn’t just a reaction to progressive overreach—it’s a call to rebuild a nation that works for everyone, a country that values its citizens and protects their rights.
The road ahead won’t be without its challenges, but the opportunity is undeniable. If conservatives can rise to the occasion, they stand poised to lead a new chapter in America’s history, one rooted in the enduring values of freedom, faith, and family. The question is, will they seize it?
Charlton Allen is the founder and editor-in-chief of The American Salient and the founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc. Learn more about him at charltonallen.org.
