Overview
- Prominent conservatives including Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell rebuked the interview and criticized efforts to excuse platforming Fuentes' antisemitism.
- Internal fallout at Heritage includes staff anger, the reassignment and subsequent resignation of Roberts’ chief of staff Ryan Neuhaus, and departures from its antisemitism task force such as Mark Goldfeder and David Bernstein, with reports of donor blowback.
- Governance pressure has intensified as some trustees, including Robert P. George, are reported to be urging Roberts’ removal, even as the foundation says its board still supports him and plans a staff town hall.
- Jewish conservative leaders and groups escalated opposition, with the Zionist Organization of America calling for Roberts to resign, the Republican Jewish Coalition denouncing Heritage’s stance, and Rep. Randy Fine saying he will bar Heritage staff from his office.
- Carlson’s profile rose during the uproar, with the Fuentes episode driving his podcast to No. 2 on Spotify and racking up millions of views, sharpening a wider right‑wing rift over antisemitism and the bounds of platforming.