Trump and DeSantis to Speak at Moms for Liberty Gathering, Headlined by GOP Hopefuls in 2024

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, prominent contenders for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, are scheduled to address the annual Moms for Liberty gathering on Friday. The Moms for Liberty group, established two years ago, has gained significant influence in conservative politics by strongly opposing teachings related to race and gender identity in American classrooms.

While the organization advocates for “parental rights” in education, it has faced criticism from an anti-hate watchdog, which has labeled it as “extremist” due to allegations of harassment towards community members, spreading anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation, and advocating for the removal of diverse and inclusive materials from lesson plans.

Other notable speakers at the event include former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Casey DeSantis (wife of Ron DeSantis), former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The conference is being held at a hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

The presence of these political figures highlights the growing influence of Moms for Liberty, which has rapidly expanded from three Florida-based mothers opposing COVID mandates in 2021 to encompassing 285 chapters across 45 states. The organization has formed alliances with influential GOP organizations, politicians, and donors, solidifying its role as a major player in the 2024 political landscape.

In addition to speeches by candidates and other speakers, the summit will feature strategy sessions focusing on topics such as “protecting kids from gender ideology” and “comprehensive sex education: sex ed or sexualization.”

Outside the conference, parent activists and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have announced plans to stage protests, citing the Southern Poverty Law Center’s designation of Moms for Liberty as an “anti-government extremist” group. Recent incidents, including an Indiana Moms for Liberty chapter publishing an Adolf Hitler quote in its newsletter (later removed and apologized for) and a Tennessee chapter voicing complaints about lessons on Martin Luther King Jr. and Ruby Bridges, have added to the controversy surrounding the organization.

Several historical associations, state senators, activists, and employees at Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution have unsuccessfully appealed to the museum to cancel the welcome event for the conference, which was scheduled for Thursday night. Critics argue that Moms for Liberty undermines the diverse and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ and Black voices in history.

The museum defended its decision, stating that rejecting visitors based on ideology would contradict its mission of fostering understanding within a democratic society.

Several groups, including People for the American Way’s “Grandparents for Truth” campaign, are planning to rally against the conference in downtown Philadelphia on Friday. The campaign aims to mobilize grandparents and other supporters fighting for the freedom of the next generation to receive an inclusive education.

One of the participating grandparents, Maureen Carreño, expressed her desire for a more comprehensive approach to teaching history, one that acknowledges both positive and negative aspects: “I would hope that we teach the totality of history. And yes, it might make you feel a little bad or sad or something, but that’s part of history.”

Responding to the planned protests, Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice stated that the protesters lacked understanding of the organization and suggested they could have attended the summit to learn more.

Although Moms for Liberty claims to be nonpartisan, it has predominantly attracted conservative support. The organization has also actively campaigned for the election of conservative candidates to school boards nationwide.

As a 501(c)4 nonprofit, Moms for Liberty is not required to disclose its funders. However, known public donors include conservative organizations like the Heritage Foundation and the Leadership Institute, a national political training organization. Additionally, Patriot Mobile, a far-right Christian cellphone company, is sponsoring Trump’s appearance at the conference through its PAC, which has invested substantial funds in attempting to influence Texas school boards.

Moms for Liberty’s PAC in Florida has received a $50,000 donation from Julie Fancelli, a Republican donor whose family owns Publix grocery stores. Fancelli was also involved in funding the January 6 “Stop the Steal” rally organized by Trump, according to findings from the House Jan. 6 committee. Fancelli has not responded to requests for comment.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist running in the Democratic presidential primary, was initially scheduled to speak at the Moms for Liberty summit but later withdrew. Justice stated that Kennedy’s campaign cited schedule changes, but Kennedy himself admitted during a town hall that he declined the invitation upon learning of the organization’s positions on LGBTQ+ issues, acknowledging his mistake in accepting the invitation.

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More about Moms for Liberty gathering

• Former President Donald Trump
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
• Moms for Liberty Official Website
• Southern Poverty Law Center
• Heritage Foundation
• Leadership Institute
• Patriot Mobile
• House Jan. 6 Committee Findings