Nick Fuentes Sparks GOP Civil War Over Tucker Carlson Podcast

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Republican Party faces a deepening rift as far-right activist Nick Fuentes gains prominence after a recent podcast appearance with Tucker Carlson. The episode, which aired on October 27, has stirred intense debate among conservatives, highlighting divisions over support for Israel and Fuentes’ controversial viewpoints.

Fuentes, known for Holocaust denial and admiration for Adolf Hitler, appeared on Carlson’s new podcast, where he shared his radical ideas, including disdain for Christian Zionism. The discussion provoked immediate backlash within the party, with prominent conservatives like Ben Shapiro lambasting Carlson for “normalizing” Fuentes and dismissing his extremist views.

“The issue isn’t that Tucker interviewed him; the problem is that he coddled him and made him seem legitimate,” Shapiro stated. Texas Senator Ted Cruz was among the few elected officials to explicitly condemn Carlson, highlighting the danger of Fuentes’ ideology.

Amid the controversy, Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, defended Carlson and argued that Christians should not be shunned for critiquing Israel. His comments intensified criticism from both Heritage staff and conservative leaders, revealing frustrations with Roberts’ leadership.

“It’s an absolute shitshow,” one Heritage staff member said, describing an atmosphere of dissent. As internal unrest grows, many staffers express concern about the direction the organization is taking under Roberts.

Fuentes has aimed to position himself as a master of political disruption, declaring in September, “We want chaos, we want infighting.” Following the incident, major donors have started to question their financial support, further complicating Heritage’s stability.

Fuentes’ rise comes at a pivotal time for the GOP, which battles a generational divide over America’s role in global affairs, especially regarding Israel. As Fuentes gains followers, the Republican Party finds itself at a crossroads, deciding whether to embrace his extremist rhetoric or distance itself from such ideologies to maintain mainstream appeal.

As the fallout continues, Roberts addressed Heritage employees in a recent all-staff meeting, admitting to mishandling the situation while pledging to remain in his position. The turmoil reflects a broader identity struggle within the conservative movement, caught between traditional policy voices and a rising tide of radicalism.

Attempts by Carlson to shift the narrative may have only stoked the fire, with some conservative figures labeling his supportive approach towards Fuentes as dangerously misguided. As these discussions unfold, the future alignment of the GOP remains uncertain.