The American conservative movement is undergoing a brutal internal reckoning, with factions openly clashing over ideology, leadership, and the very future of the right. Recent events at the Heritage Foundation, a leading conservative think tank, have exposed deep fissures, but the conflict extends far beyond one institution. This isn’t a temporary dispute; it’s a symptom of a deeper realignment, driven by generational shifts, the waning influence of traditional leadership, and the normalization of extremist ideas.
The Breaking Point: Carlson, Fuentes, and the Fallout
The immediate catalyst was Tucker Carlson’s decision to platform Nick Fuentes, a notorious antisemite, on his podcast. The backlash was swift and severe, pitting Carlson’s defenders – including Heritage President Kevin Roberts – against critics within the organization and beyond. Chris DeMuth, a prominent Heritage scholar, resigned in protest, and internal dissent erupted in a leaked staff meeting where multiple employees demanded Roberts’s resignation.
This incident wasn’t isolated. Similar tensions have surfaced at other right-wing institutions, such as the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, where board members resigned over what they perceived as a drift toward extremism. The debate isn’t simply about preserving traditional conservatism; it’s about defining what comes next after the Trump era, and the old guard no longer has the power to enforce boundaries.
The “Rot” Within Heritage: A Culture of Extremism
Behind the public clashes, a disturbing internal culture has taken root at Heritage. A well-placed source within the organization, speaking on condition of anonymity, described a climate where extremist views are openly tolerated, if not actively encouraged. The source, who praised Roberts personally, warned that a “rot” has set in, with younger staff members pushing dangerous ideas unchecked.
The allegations include racist and misogynistic comments made behind closed doors, including derogatory language about Black employees and the suggestion that women’s suffrage ruined American society. Even more concerning, the organization has retained employees with openly bigoted views, such as E.J. Antoni, whose past racist and homophobic tweets were uncovered after his nomination to a government position.
Heritage denies these claims, calling them “defamatory,” but the evidence suggests a deeper problem. The organization’s tolerance for extremism extends beyond individual cases, reflecting a broader shift in the movement.
The Normalization of Extremism: The Private Becomes Public
For years, extremist views have circulated in private conservative spaces, shielded from public scrutiny. But the Trump era has shattered those barriers, bringing once-unspeakable ideas into the mainstream. Discussions about race, gender, and religion that were once confined to back channels now dominate public discourse.
This shift is particularly evident on the issue of antisemitism. Older conservatives often view Jews as a model minority, while younger activists are increasingly skeptical of US support for Israel and suspicious of Jewish influence in American politics. This generational divide has fueled internal conflicts, with younger conservatives pushing for more radical positions.
The result is a movement where extremist views are no longer whispered in private but openly debated in public forums. The line between the hard right and the mainstream has blurred, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate debate and outright bigotry.
The Generational Divide and the Future of the Right
The fracturing of the right is not merely a dispute over policy; it’s a generational clash over identity and ideology. The older guard clings to traditional conservatism, while younger activists embrace more radical positions. The Trump era has empowered these younger voices, giving them a platform to challenge the old guard and reshape the movement in their image.
This realignment is not without its consequences. The normalization of extremism has alienated moderate conservatives and fueled internal conflicts. The right is now at war with itself, with no clear path to reconciliation. The future of the movement remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the old rules no longer apply.
The conservative movement is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and the outcome will determine the future of American politics for decades to come. The war at Heritage is just the beginning
