The word "ideology" has become a fixture in American political rhetoric, invoked by leaders to cast opponents' beliefs as dangerous, stupid or unfounded.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump vowed to "defeat the toxic poison of gender ideology," saying he would take "historic action" to reaffirm what he described as a divinely created gender binary. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has similarly criticized "DEI ideologies" in hiring and admissions, arguing instead for merit-based practices. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has said a "leftist ideology" motivated the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk.

Those on the left have used the term as well. Scholar Brad Onishi, author of the book Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism — and What Comes Next ,

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