Conservatives Clash After Carlson Interviews Nick Fuentes

Tucker Carlson’s interview with white-nationalist Nick Fuentes — widely condemned for antisemitic and extremist rhetoric — sparked a fierce intra-conservative fight over whether engaging extremists normalizes their views. Prominent conservative commentators and outlets, including Rich Lowry, Mark Levin, Michael Savage and the Wall Street Journal editorial board, warned the episode risks “poisoning” conservatism morally and electorally, while figures such as Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro urged drawing clear moral lines. Former Vice President Mike Pence called for a rediscovery of traditional conservative principles and warned against isolationist and anti–free-market shifts. Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts defended Carlson and opposed “canceling” Fuentes, prompting staff backlash, internal reassignments and the resignation of chief of staff Ryan Neuhaus and at least one task-force leader. Reports that Heritage paid roughly $1.2 million to sponsor Carlson’s show intensified scrutiny of the organization’s ties to the host, and Heritage denied an emergency trustees meeting while confirming personnel changes.