Ben Shapiro and Conservatives Clash Over Tucker Carlson’s Controversial Interview
A fresh wave of division has swept through conservative circles after Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with far-right figure Nick Fuentes — and it has sparked intense debate involving some of the most recognizable names on the American right, including Ben Shapiro.
Carlson, the former Fox News host, invited Fuentes — a known antisemite and white supremacist — onto his podcast. The discussion quickly turned controversial as both men criticized conservatives who support Israel, labeling them as “Christian Zionists.” Carlson went as far as calling out figures like Senator Ted Cruz and former President George W. Bush, accusing them of being influenced by what he described as a “brain virus.”
Fuentes, who has long been condemned for his extremist views, including his praise for Adolf Hitler and his claim that Jews control the country, doubled down on those ideas in the conversation. He spoke of “organized Jewry” holding undue power and even expressed admiration for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
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The reaction was swift — and fiery. Many conservative leaders condemned Carlson for giving Fuentes such a platform. Ben Shapiro, one of the most vocal conservative Jewish commentators, has often criticized figures who attempt to normalize antisemitic voices within political discourse. While Shapiro has not directly commented on this specific interview yet, his past clashes with Fuentes and others over antisemitism have made his position clear — that giving such figures a mainstream spotlight is dangerous and morally wrong.
Meanwhile, not everyone on the right is distancing themselves from Carlson. Kevin Roberts, president of the influential Heritage Foundation, defended him, saying Carlson remained “a close friend” of the organization. Roberts argued that criticizing Israel should not automatically be labeled antisemitic and cautioned conservatives against “canceling” those they disagree with. He called those attacking Carlson a “venomous coalition,” insisting that disagreements should be handled through open debate, not censorship.
However, others saw Roberts’s defense as a shocking misstep. The Republican Jewish Coalition’s CEO, Matt Brooks, said he was “appalled and disgusted” by the Heritage Foundation’s stance. Senator Ted Cruz, during remarks to the Republican Jewish Coalition, delivered a fiery response, saying that sitting silently with someone who praises Hitler or speaks of fighting “global Jewry” is an act of cowardice.
As this controversy unfolds, the conservative movement seems to be facing a reckoning over how far it is willing to go in embracing “free speech” when hate speech is involved. Figures like Ben Shapiro and Ted Cruz stand on one side — adamantly rejecting antisemitic rhetoric — while others like Roberts defend Carlson in the name of open discourse.
This clash highlights a deeper struggle on the American right — one about moral boundaries, political loyalty, and the growing tension between traditional conservatism and the far-right voices seeking legitimacy in its ranks.
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