Weekly News Roundup: The Christian Nationalist Agenda Is No Longer Fringe (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Doug Wilson's latest NPR interview has reignited debate over Christian nationalism—but what does he actually believe, and why does it matter?

This week, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller break down Wilson's comments on voting, patriarchy, the Constitution, and the future of American government. They explain why Wilson's vision isn't simply "traditional values," but a fundamentally different political philosophy that replaces individual rights with patriarchal households as the basic unit of American society.

They also connect Wilson's ideas to broader political developments, including: 

• Ken Paxton's latest controversies and what they reveal about evangelical political power.
• The GOP's renewed push to end birthright citizenship and why the issue continues to dominate conservative politics despite recent Supreme Court rulings.
• The growing mainstream acceptance of Christian Reconstructionism and why Doug Wilson has become one of the country's most influential Christian nationalist thinkers.
• Tech billionaire Bryan Johnson's quest to defeat aging—and what Silicon Valley's obsession with "hacking" the human condition says about modern culture.

Throughout the episode, Brad and Dan explore how Christian nationalism, technocracy, and the pursuit of political power are reshaping American democracy, religion, and public life.

Interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/SaY4zokH65U?si=lBla5CUxuzv1XMK_

Real life voter fraud: Ken Paxton

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m8lgEM5u4Cw

 

I don’t care what you believe...

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4NqzLvjgKiM

Weekly Roundup: Talarico and the Pope vs. MAGA Christianity (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

This week on Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller dig into what may become a defining political and theological showdown in American life: the Texas Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico. Framing it as more than a political contest, they explore it as a clash between two competing visions of Christianity—one rooted in power, order, and domination, and another grounded in compassion, dignity, and neighbor-love. Along the way, they unpack the deeply personal and often misogynistic attacks leveled at Talarico, revealing how gender, masculinity, and religious identity are being weaponized in real time.

The conversation then turns to E. Jean Carroll and the latest developments involving the United States Department of Justice, situating the case within a broader pattern of retribution politics under Donald Trump. Brad and Dan argue that Carroll’s treatment reflects not just political vengeance but a deeper discomfort with women who challenge systems of male dominance—and win. The thread connecting it all: a vision of power that equates dominance with righteousness.

Finally, they break down the first encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, highlighting its critique of technological utopianism, AI-driven efficiency, and the dehumanizing tendencies of Silicon Valley. Drawing on biblical imagery like Babel and Nehemiah, as well as unexpected references to J.R.R. Tolkien, the document offers a counter-vision: human dignity over efficiency, community over homogenization, and faith expressed through small, faithful acts rather than grand displays of power. The episode closes by asking a central question: what does it actually mean to be a Christian in America today—and who gets to decide?
Interview: 

• Home page and audio: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-talarico-and-the-pope-vs-maga-christianity?hsLang=en

• YouTube video: 

https://youtu.be/l-Ldlevu2Yg?si=UsIq85_ZH5S6JSqG

This Religion Wants to Destroy Your Pets (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #637)

— James Talarico will face Ken Paxton this November in a battle for the Senate. Who will white evangelicals choose? (0:20)

— A secretive Christian sect is pressuring members to purge their pets. (2:25)

— Dozens of Oklahoma Republicans fought a bill banning child marriage. (17:25)

— The evangelical Christian hit “Testify to Love” just got a powerful pro-LGBTQ reboot. (35:45)

— Ché Ahn says drug users must choose between Christian rehab or Bible lessons in prison. (45:27)

— Rockwall County courthouse in Texas unveils illegal Ten Commandments monument. (50:07)

— The rising cost of reaching secular voters is good for democracy. (57:50)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2026/05/27/this-religion-wants-to-destroy-your-pets/

We like to win (Find Out Podcast on YouTube)

We here on the Find Out Podcast are a big fans of Democrats winning elections and we couldn't be happier with this week's news that Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX), who was endorsed by Trump, won his runoff election, unseating the incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) as the Republican nominee. Why are we excited about this? Because Paxton, who has been impeached by the Republican Super Majority in the Texas state legislature for embezzlement, busted for an extramarital affair and is generally hated by Cornyn voters and his fellow Texas Republicans, this creates an excellent opportunity for State Rep. James Talarico (D-TX) to finally flip Texas Blue. The last time Texas Democrats came close to flipping this seat was in 2018 when U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) narrowly defeated Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) by 2.6%. On this episode, we'll make the case for why someone like Paxton is worse than Cruz. Talarico's ability to communicate effectively with religious Christian voters, coupled with Hispanic and Latino voters turning on Trump in large numbers, makes this a must watch race that could help the Democrats win the U.S. Senate this year.

We'll also discuss why conviction is the best weapon for Democrats to counter Republican messaging when pitching massive changes like universal health care. We also enjoyed watching Chelsea Handler and Pete Davidson destroy Tony Hinchcliffe at the Netflix Roast of Kevin Hart. We also crack down on corporations using investments in AI data centers to justify mass layoffs but those investments haven't been paying off. Also, we'll highlight how the tech billionaires like Marc Andreessen, Peter Thiel and Elon Musk want cheaper workers while J.D. Vance and Stephen Miller want more white workers.

Contents

• 00:00 Welcome to the Find Out Podcast! 
• 00:28 Paxton Destroys Cornyn in the Texas Runoff 
• 08:40 Talarico's Crossover Appeal & Why He Can Win 
• 19:34 Republican Senate Defense Nightmare & the 2026 Map 
• 25:47 Democrats' Messaging Problem (And How to Fix It) 
• 45:52 The Universal Healthcare Argument Nobody's Making 
• 1:00:06 Podcast Tour Idea Listener Moments & Wrap-Up 
• 1:05:44 Subscribe!

Interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbWWsF0Ww0w

Texas Senate runoff sees surge of anti-Muslim rhetoric in campaign ads

“Every time it’s an election year, this is one of the favorite cards that the GOP plays to get votes,” said Shehla Faizi, a Texas Muslim running for state comptroller as a member of the Green party. “We have a boogeyman, the boogeyman are Muslims, and we’re going to use that to make people afraid and force them to vote for us.”…

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/26/texas-senate-runoff-anti-muslim-ad

 

Weekly Roundup: Reparations for Traitors and the Slush Fund Presidency (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

• A massive DOJ–IRS settlement that includes a $1.8 billion "slush fund" ostensibly for victims of government "weaponization." The hosts trace how this fund is likely to benefit January 6 participants and allies, connecting it to the long-running "Big Lie" and what Brad calls real-time myth-making. 
• How narratives about January 6 have shifted from condemnation to celebration—and what it means when those narratives are backed by real money and political power. 
• The broader ecosystem of Trumpism: primary victories that show Trump still holds sway, the endorsement of scandal-plagued figures like Ken Paxton, and the ongoing fusion of political loyalty with religious justification. 
• A sharp critique of billionaire logic, as Jeff Bezos defends his tax record and "value to civilization," prompting a deeper discussion about inequality, power, and what counts as public good. 
• A few reasons for hope, pointing to court losses for the DOJ and small but meaningful acts of accountability—reminders that resistance, however incremental, is still possible.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-reparations-for-traitors-and-the-slush-fund-presidency?hsLang=en

Texas Supreme Court rejects bid to oust House Democrats who fled state over redistricting - POLITICO

“Abbott sent us threats. He sent lawyers. He sicced his lapdog, Ken Paxton, on us,” Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said in a statement. “He asked the highest court in Texas to remove elected Democrats from office because we refused to be bullied into helping him pass a rigged map for Donald Trump. Today, the Republican-controlled Supreme Court said: no. The Constitution does not let a Governor erase voters’ choices when their choices are inconvenient to him.”…

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/15/texas-supreme-court-democrats-redistricting-00923616

 

Poll: Talarico leads Cornyn and Paxton in general election matchups

The poll validates what some in the MAGA movement have argued is not a significant difference when it comes to electability between Cornyn and Paxton…

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/03/20/congress/texas-senate-talarico-cornyn-paxton-poll-00837336 

 

Texas AG Paxton files Tylenol lawsuit, taking cues from Trump, Kennedy - The Washington Post

Texas becomes the first state to allege that taking the painkiller while pregnant can cause autism, despite unsettled scientific evidence...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/10/28/paxton-tylenol-autism/

The Religious War on America’s Kids (Andrew Seidel; One Nation, Indivisible podcast episode 029)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is running for Senate so he’s hitting the Christian Nationalism. Hard. Andrew breaks down his prayer push and the law it’s based on. Hemant Mehta at the Friendly Atheist took PragerU’s anti-woke teacher test for Oklahoma, Florida bans vaccine mandates, and more. 

Episode Show Notes:

• Ken Paxton’s Christian Nationalist press release. 
• Text of the TX law Paxton was ranting about. 
• Updated Axios story about DOJ leaving Dems and Liberals in Epstein docs. 
• Hemant Mehta at the Friendly Atheist takes PragerU’s Oklahoma teacher “test” and reports on it.
• BBC reports on FL vaccine mandate ban.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-du84f-2765bde2

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico enters U.S. Senate race in Texas - The Washington Post

"I am not interested in defending this broken political system," he said. "I'm interested in transformation, not preservation, and I think that is a fundamental mindset shift that has to happen in the national Democratic Party if we hope to build a big enough coalition that can change this country and make people's lives better."…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/09/james-talarico-texas-senate-race-cornyn-paxton/

 

Texas AG Ken Paxton pushes for Christian prayer in public schools - The Washington Post

"In Texas classrooms, we want the Word of God opened, the Ten Commandments displayed, and prayers lifted up," Paxton said in a news release on his office's letterhead. "Our nation was founded on the rock of Biblical Truth, and I will not stand by while the far-left attempts to push our country into the sinking sand."…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/09/04/ken-paxton-texas-school-prayer/

Texas sues New York doctor accused of mailing abortion pills across state lines | US news | The Guardian

Because Carpenter is based in New York, Paxton's lawsuit will come up against New York's shield law, which dictates that officials in the state will not cooperate with attempts by other states to sue or prosecute providers who send abortion pills to people in states that ban abortion. Seven other states have passed similar shield laws since the US supreme court overturned Roe...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/texas-abortion-pills-lawsuit-ken-paxton

Texas AG sues Dallas doctor, alleging she provided transgender care to minors - The Washington Post

The ACLU had sought to block Senate Bill 14. After the court upheld the law in June, the ACLU said the ban on gender-affirming care "threatens the health and lives of Texas transgender youth, and penalizes physicians who provide the best standard of care for their transgender patients." 

On Thursday, the ACLU said in response to the lawsuit filed against Lau that doctors "should not have to fear being targeted for providing health care to their patients,"…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/10/18/texas-transgender-healthcare-ken-paxton/

——-

Ken Paxton's election probe targets Texas Democrat in Bexar County

In other election integrity news, Paxton on Wednesday also announced an investigation into allegations that voter registration organizations were "illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our election." 

Per the Tribune, the allegations appeared to originate in unsubstantiated claims by Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that when "a friend of mine's wife" took her daughter to get a driver's license, the Department of Public Safety office had "a massive line of immigrants getting licenses and had a tent and table outside the front door of the DMV registering them to vote."…

https://thehill.com/homenews/4848094-paxton-probe-texas-democratic-candidate/

Texas sues Biden administration over teenage access to birth control - The Washington Post

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said he was protecting parental rights in Texas; analysts say it's an effort to upend a federal rule for the whole country...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/27/texas-teen-birth-control-lawsuit/

LGBTQ group PFLAG sues Texas AG Ken Paxton over youth transgender records probe - The Washington Post

But critics have decried Paxton's information requests as government overreach, arguing that they threaten patients' medical privacy. And, attorneys for PFLAG warned in the lawsuit, they could induce fear in families seeking a treatment the American Academy of Pediatrics has called "medically necessary and appropriate" for some minors...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/02/29/pflag-transgender-texas-lawsuit-ken-paxton/

Texas A.G. Ken Paxton Tries to Block Court-Approved Abortion - The New York Times

On Friday, it remained unclear if Ms. Cox had been able to obtain an abortion or if Mr. Paxton's letter, and his subsequent legal filings, had already thrust her doctor and others back into the same state of uncertainty and fear of prosecution that had prompted the initial lawsuit. 

Mr. Paxton's letter puts Dr. Karsan "in an awful position," said Judy Levison, a obstetrician-gynecologist in Houston who has known Dr. Karsan for years. "They named her and so, it's intimidating," she added. "It's trying to intimidate somebody to not act."

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/us/texas-abortion-court-ken-paxton.html