The Right’s Nick Fuentes Problem — and Tucker Carlson’s Role in Mainstreaming It – The American Spectator

The Right’s Nick Fuentes Problem and Tucker Carlson’s Role

Ben Shapiro’s latest podcast episode, titled “Tucker Carlson Sabotages America,” delivers a blunt critique of Tucker Carlson’s influence. Shapiro calls Carlson a “super spreader of vile ideas … coward … terrible friend … and master of gaslighting.”

On Monday, Shapiro broke a rare stance among right-wing commentators by explicitly drawing a moral boundary and naming key figures. He warned that the American Right is being fractured intentionally by a small but vocal group of white identitarians surrounding Nick Fuentes. This faction, Shapiro claims, is being normalized and absorbed into the mainstream largely through Tucker Carlson’s platform and is even defended by institutions such as the Heritage Foundation.

Clarifying the Core Issue

Shapiro makes clear that this conflict is not about free speech or “cancellation.” He acknowledges that Nick Fuentes has the legal right to express his views and that Tucker Carlson is entitled to interview him. Shapiro emphasizes his opposition to efforts to de-platform Fuentes, despite finding Fuentes “odious and despicable.”

He explains that free speech should be understood as freedom from government repression, not a guaranteed right to be amplified or supported by major conservative media. The real issue, according to Shapiro, is about setting clear moral lines.

“Free speech, properly understood, is freedom from government coercion — not a right to be promoted, signal-boosted, and flattered by major conservative platforms.”

“The American Right, he argued, is being deliberately fractured by a small but loud faction of white identitarians orbiting around Nick Fuentes — and that faction is being normalized and laundered into the mainstream by Tucker Carlson and, shockingly, defended by institutions like the Heritage Foundation.”

Conclusion

Ben Shapiro challenges the Right to confront and reject extremist elements gaining mainstream approval, underscoring the importance of maintaining clear ethical boundaries.

Would you like the summary to highlight Shapiro’s moral stance or focus more on Carlson’s role?

The American Spectator — 2025-11-06