Ben Shapiro Criticizes Tucker Carlson Amid Heritage Institute Staff Shakeup
On Monday, conservative podcaster Ben Shapiro sharply condemned Tucker Carlson, calling him “the most virulent super-spreader of vile ideas in America” during an episode of The Ben Shapiro Show. This came after Carlson hosted Holocaust-denier Nick Fuentes on his podcast, sparking controversy.
Shapiro’s Criticism of Carlson’s Podcast Episode
Shapiro criticized Carlson for not challenging Fuentes' bigoted views during the interview. He emphasized that while Carlson had the right to invite Fuentes, the problem was normalizing and softening Fuentes’ extremist views.
“The issue here isn’t that Tucker Carlson had Nick Fuentes on his show last week. He has every right to do that, of course. The issue here is that Tucker Carlson decided to normalize and fluff Nick Fuentes and that the Heritage Foundation then decided to robustly defend that performance.”
Impact on Conservative Movement and Heritage Institute
This incident has deepened divisions within the conservative movement, especially within the Republican Party. The interview, which aired the previous week, included antisemitic references and led to a staff shakeup at the Heritage Institute.
Carlson declined to comment when reached on Monday.
Context
Ben Shapiro, known as a conservative political commentator, writer, and lawyer, has been vocal on antisemitism and related issues. He previously attended a symposium on “Antisemitism Online” held by the European Jewish Association in Krakow.
Photograph caption: Conservative political commentator, Ben Shapiro, at a symposium on "Antisemitism Online" during the European Jewish Association conference in Krakow, Jan. | Bartosz Siedlik/AFP via Getty Images
Author’s summary: Ben Shapiro sharply rebuked Tucker Carlson for normalizing extremist views in a controversial interview, highlighting deep rifts in the conservative movement.