I don't know, what you mean with culture war, I'm not from the US, , but we are talking about races that are part of fantasy for a very long time.
Lucky you.
In short, in the US politics are getting more and more hostile and are spilling into all forms of entertainment.
D&D has run afoul of that several times with people loudly complaining that Orcs are racist because they somehow resemble Mongols, Africans, Arabs (people couldn't agree on which one, just that they were racist) and also monkey people which have existed since decades are now racist when shown as a bard.
The "respectfull" representation of small people is also a hot topic. And also who has the "right" to use certain cultures as inspiration for fantasy countries.
And the other side will already have a field day with BG3 and its more graphic romance scenes if it pops up on their radar.
In genetal its a huge powder keg and no one knows what will set it off next.
