The feud between Ben Shapiro and Nick Fuentes is now mainstream GOP politics

The Feud Between Ben Shapiro and Nick Fuentes Enters Mainstream GOP Politics

Even the Heritage Foundation has now been drawn into an escalating conflict that started online. After Tucker Carlson hosted a notorious antisemitic livestreamer, the long-standing rift within right-wing circles spilled into the broader political arena.

Historically, the feud between white supremacist streamer Nick Fuentes and Jewish conservative commentator Ben Shapiro—who have a deep mutual disdain—remained confined to social media spaces. However, that changed recently when Fuentes gained new visibility inside the Republican sphere.

Tucker Carlson’s Role in the Controversy

Fuentes, an unapologetic antisemite who has publicly said:

“Hitler was really f***ing cool.”

was featured for a full hour on Tucker Carlson’s podcast. The two discussed the US government’s involvement in Israel’s war in Gaza, marking a rare moment when open antisemitism entered mainstream right-wing discourse.

Broader GOP Impact

Carlson, a powerful media figure with significant influence in the GOP, has frequently criticized Israel and occasionally echoed antisemitic stereotypes. While many of his earlier fringe claims—such as Ukraine producing bioweapons or Covid-19 being bioengineered to spare Ashkenazi Jews—did not affect party politics, providing Fuentes such a platform appeared to push those boundaries much further.

The Heritage Foundation’s Involvement

What began as a feud among online personalities has now touched major conservative institutions. The Heritage Foundation’s inclusion in the fallout highlights how far-reaching this dispute has become in shaping public conservative debate.

Author’s summary: The clash between Ben Shapiro and Nick Fuentes, once confined to extremist corners of the internet, has now infiltrated mainstream GOP dynamics with the backing of high-profile figures like Tucker Carlson.

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The Verge The Verge — 2025-11-06

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