Americans are divided on ‘culture war’ issues, a new CNN poll finds. Republicans are trying to leverage that in the midterms

New CNN Poll Reveals Sharp Divides on Culture War Topics as GOP Targets Voters in Midterms

Republican Candidates Amplify 'Woke' Narrative Amid Growing Public Split

Americans are divided on culture war issues - A recent CNN survey highlights the deepening rift over cultural issues in the U.S., with Republicans actively using this divide to gain political ground ahead of the midterms. While the economy remains the top concern for most Americans, the party has shifted focus to framing its opponents as overly progressive, or "woke." This strategy is evident in campaigns targeting figures like James Talarico, a Texas state representative who once embraced nonbinary identities and argued for reducing meat consumption to address climate change. Talarico now distances himself from those remarks, calling them "cringey," as Republicans critique his past statements as emblematic of a broader cultural shift.

Public Opinion on Cultural Acceptance Remains Polarized

The poll, conducted by SSRS, reveals that nearly half of Americans believe society has moved too far in embracing diversity in gender, race, and background, while over half disagree. Over the past year, the proportion of Republicans and independents who hold this view has increased by six percentage points, with almost 80% of Republicans and 47% of independents now expressing concern. Ed Shedlock, a Louisiana Republican, noted this trend in the survey: “Things you’d never think twice about saying years ago are now seen as radical. People cancel others for statements that barely matter.”

“Things you’d never think twice about saying 2, 3, 4, 5 years ago, now people are suddenly saying, ‘Oh you can’t say that,’” said Ed Shedlock, a Republican from Louisiana. “Some people will cancel people for something so insignificant it’s not even worth having a conversation with them.”

Democrats See Cultural Shift as a Progression, Not a Regression

On the Democratic side, the majority of voters and leaners argue that society hasn’t embraced enough diversity. According to the poll, 60% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents believe the country needs to expand acceptance, compared to just 18% who think it has gone too far. Danny Minaya, a New York Democrat, described this perspective: “The best part about being an American is that we stand up for each other. You fight for the little guy, you protect people’s rights.”

“The best part about being an American is that we stand up for each other,” said Danny Minaya, a Democrat in New York. “You fight for the little guy, you stand up for the person that’s being shitted on, you stand up for the person that needs their rights protected. Right now, it doesn’t seem like we’re doing that.”

Internal Party Divides Highlight Gender Perspectives

Despite the GOP’s unified messaging, there are nuances within the party. Among Democrats, women are more likely than men to view offensive speech as a problem and to support broader societal acceptance. Women are 8 points more inclined than men to see an issue with offensive statements, and 14 points more likely to argue that cultural openness has not gone far enough. This reflects a growing consensus among American women, who increasingly favor inclusive policies over traditional norms.

Meanwhile, Republicans continue to weaponize these debates. In South Carolina, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette criticized institutions for disinviting her from a university event due to student protests, vowing to retaliate by cutting funding. Similarly, Nevada’s David Flippo attacked his opponent for allegedly adopting "woke" values, citing past votes to underscore his stance. These tactics underscore how cultural issues are becoming a key battleground in the midterms, even as public opinion remains deeply split.