He began his style of political painting during the Barack Obama administration, creating works in support of the Tea Party movement.

[2] His work has been described as "Christian nationalist" by Andrew Seidel of the Freedom From Religion Foundation,[9] "kitsch realist",[7] and as a middle ground between realism and impressionism.

[11] Others, such as Greenhill and Andrew O'Hehir in Salon, have highlighted how McNaughton's knowledge of art history allows him to use famous historical paintings to complement his messages.

[4] Steve Rose in The Guardian, while describing The Forgotten Man, identified McNaughton's work in the tradition of Norman Rockwell.

[12] McNaughton is married,[4] a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[3] and went on a mission for his faith to Japan in his youth.