Overview
- Speaking at the Heritage Foundation, Ben Shapiro called Tucker Carlson "an opponent of conservatism" and accused him of pushing conspiracy theories and being soft on hostile regimes.
- Shapiro argued the movement needs enforceable "ideological borders" and urged Heritage to act as "ideological border control" consistent with its mission.
- He cited Carlson’s stances on the free market, limited government, national defense, and traditional values as evidence of a departure from conservative principles.
- The remarks followed Heritage president Kevin Roberts’ initial defense of Carlson’s Nick Fuentes interview and his later acknowledgment that calling critics a "venomous coalition" was a mistake.
- Heritage has faced internal blowback, with reported departures including scholar Stephen Moore and two trustees, and Carlson responded to Shapiro’s critique by saying, "Too funny."