Infighting at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest: Shapiro vs. Carlson

The Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest conference witnessed a significant confrontation between prominent conservative figures Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson on Thursday. This clash centered around Carlson's decision to host controversial guests, including white nationalist Nick Fuentes and influencer Andrew Tate, on his show. Shapiro condemned these actions, labeling Carlson and others in the conservative movement as “charlatans,” “frauds,” and “grifters.” He emphasized the moral responsibility of public figures to denounce those who promote harmful ideologies, specifically referencing the late Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated in September.

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The conference, held in Phoenix, Arizona, was the first since Kirk's death, which has sparked various conspiracy theories, particularly from Candace Owens, who suggested potential Israeli involvement in the assassination. Shapiro criticized Owens for her comments and called out fellow conservatives, including Carlson, for their silence on her controversial statements. He warned that the conservative movement is in “serious danger” due to the spread of conspiratorial thinking and dishonesty among its ranks.

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In response to Shapiro's criticisms, Carlson dismissed the seriousness of the earlier speeches, stating, “I hope I didn’t miss anything meaningful,” and mocked the calls for deplatforming at a Charlie Kirk event. He defended his right to question motives and emphasized the importance of debate within the conservative movement. Carlson argued that the essence of Kirk’s legacy was to foster open discussions, not to silence dissenting voices.

The Hill

Shapiro's remarks included a direct attack on Owens, whom he accused of spreading “hideous and conspiratorial nonsense.” He asserted that those who refuse to condemn such behavior are complicit in its perpetuation. This sentiment reflects a broader concern within the conservative community about the impact of conspiracy theories on its integrity and future.

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Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk and the new CEO of Turning Point USA, attempted to mediate the situation by emphasizing the need for unity among conservatives. She described her meeting with Owens as “productive,” despite the ongoing tensions. Following the event, Owens responded to Shapiro's comments on social media, suggesting that his focus on Israel's interests was indicative of a broader agenda.

The Hill

The infighting at the conference highlights a growing divide within the conservative movement, particularly regarding the acceptance of controversial figures and the handling of conspiracy theories. While Shapiro's criticisms were pointed and direct, Carlson's responses reflected a more dismissive attitude towards the concerns raised by his peers. The ongoing debates about the direction of the conservative movement remain unresolved, with significant implications for its future unity and strategy.

The Hill

• “The conservative movement is also in danger from charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle, but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty, who offer nothing but bile and despair, who seek to undermine fundamental principles of conservatism by championing enervation and grievance,” — Ben Shapiro

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• “To hear calls for like deplatforming and denouncing people at a Charlie Kirk event, I’m like, what?! That’s hilarious,” — Tucker Carlson

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• “Friendship with public figures who say or do evil things is not an excuse for silence on the matter,” — Ben Shapiro

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• “Charlie stood firm in his often-stated and deeply-held belief that people should be able to debate,” — Tucker Carlson

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