A decade ago, the Republican Party was in an extraordinary period of evolution. From the bar to the brewery, members are consuming less alcohol than at any time in our 25-year history. The share of Republicans who said they drank regularly as of 2025 was just 46%—a 19-point decrease. Many experts are observing a positive and unexpected trend. Lydia Saad, director of U.S. social research at the polling firm Gallup, said the decline was “statistically significant.”
Today, cultural dynamics are shifting, reflecting a growing movement towards sobriety. This shift can be seen in the most health-focused Republicans, all showing significant movement in major battleground states such as Arizona and Pennsylvania. During the 2024 election cycle, Republicans did everything they could to register White and Christian America. Specifically, they targeted communication to far-right Christians, Mormons and the Amish. There’s much more to this shift than the math. It represents a profound shift in the American public’s attitude toward alcohol consumption and individual health.
Multiple prominent party figures have already made the case publicly for their decision to stop drinking. One inspiring example is Tucker Carlson, who gave up booze in 2002 after a downward personal spiral. He said that today, a majority of young Republicans see sobriety as an attractive route to greater mental clarity and productivity. Donald Trump’s decision to avoid alcohol is supposed to be an anomaly. This decision grew out of the tragic death of his older brother, who suffered from health complications due to alcoholism.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the top-tier, establishment Republican’s nightmare. He has been candid about his battle with addiction and how he decided to quit drinking. Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk says young people should get sober for their health—so they can work hard. He argues that everyone in his orbit has a knee-jerk aversion to drinking, thinking that sober people are more productive and energetic.
“They’ll tell you they perform better, think clearer, have better memory, better recall, more energy, more pace. And I find that some of the people who drink the most, they’re hiding something, they’re masking something.” – Charlie Kirk
The power of the right’s podcast culture
Another, perhaps underappreciated, component of this sober lifestyle is how the right’s podcast culture has facilitated this trend. Physician-hosted shows about self-improvement and healthy living have found a willing audience as more people look to take control over their health decisions. None of my core team under 30 drink. Steve Bannon, former White House advisor and host of the War Room podcast. This trend is revealing an important generational shift in the use and harm of alcohol.
Interestingly, while some Republicans embrace sobriety, others maintain a more traditional relationship with alcohol. JD Vance Goes Boondoggling JD Vance’s long hard drink stands in sharp contrast to his predecessor Mike Pence, the deeply convinced born-again Christian who didn’t touch a drop. This mixed landscape picture shows the important divides within the party between moderates and progressives on getting alcohol consumption right.
The issue of sobriety therefore becomes much more than just a personal choice, instead delving into the public health realm. Back in January, the U.S. Surgeon General recommended that bottles of alcohol have labels warning consumers about possible cancer risks from consuming alcohol. This recommendation aligns with the growing awareness about the health implications of alcohol and may influence public perception and behavior.
Malcolm Purinton, a beer historian at Northeastern University, points to one particularly notable trend. Eighteen months of COVID-19 quarantines meant that many young people missed out on developing vital socialization skills. For them, this experience has tremendously changed their connection to alcohol. It might even help make them choose sobriety or moderation.
“There’s just, substantively, a lot more going on; the world is reshaping in front of our eyes,” – Tucker Carlson
Yet as this trend continues, experts like Saad are hesitant to call this a long-term shift. She underscores the need for continued scrutiny. We must determine whether this recent drop in drinking among Republicans is part of a permanent realignment or merely a transient wave.
“You can tie yourself in knots trying to solve those puzzles,” – Lydia Saad