Michael Knowles Destroys Argument That Trump Is ‘Sidelining’ Social Conservatism

Appearing on “The Free Press” Wednesday morning, Daily Wire host Michael Knowles argued that social conservatism is not just alive and well under Donald Trump — it’s thriving.

Journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon asked Knowles if it was fair to say that Trump has largely “sidelined” social conservative issues, referencing Trump’s positions on abortion and gay marriage.

“It’s better to look at what Trump does, than necessarily what he says,” Knowles argued, disagreeing with the assessment. “I’m not accusing the man of lying, I’m accusing him of being a good politician who understands when to lean in on a topic and when to pull back.”

“Does President Trump really have stark disagreements with the conservative movement? I don’t know. Even on the so-called social issues, President Trump is the most successful social issue president in any of our lifetimes,” Knowles told the hosts. “The man appointed the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.”

Host Michael Moynihan then asked Knowles if it really matters what Trump believes on social issues, if he continues to deliver wins for conservatives. “It matters most importantly what he does,” Knowles responded.

The Daily Wire host pointed to Trump’s rhetoric surrounding Florida’s pro-abortion Amendment 4 as a “great example” of Trump’s support for socially conservative positions.

“President Trump signaled that he might support a pro-abortion amendment. And then he changed his position, he said, ‘actually, that’s too extreme,’” Knowles said. “Notice that language he uses: ‘this is too extreme, this is too far, this is too crazy.’ What he’s speaking to is common sense.”

Knowles then highlighted how Trump moderated his view on an abortion-related amendment in Florida during the campaign after folks on the right voiced their opposition. Trump and his campaign were grounded in “common sense,” Knowles argued, which he said is good for social conservatives because “common sense is moving in our direction.”

As evidenced by the 2024 election, Americans are now largely in opposition to the transgender agenda, Knowles highlighted. Notably, Trump’s campaign ran with ads that blasted Vice President Kamala Harris’ support for the movement, using the tagline, “Kamala is for they/them, Trump is for you.”

In fact, the trans issue has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where judges are hearing oral arguments on Wednesday in U.S. v. Skrmetti.

WATCH (relevant content starts around the 20-minute mark).:

This morning on The Free Press Live, 9:30 a.m. ET:

Is social conservatism doomed under Trump’s GOP? with @MichaelJKnowles.
What’s going on in South Korea? with @Geoffrey_Cain.
And more!

Join @MCMoynihan and @BUngarSargon ????
https://t.co/d2DJQTMewM

— The Free Press (@TheFP) December 4, 2024

Related: Donald Trump Jr. Says His Dad May Remove Mainstream Media From Press Room