PHOENIX (AP) — A simmering battle over the future of President Donald Trump’s political movement exploded on one of the right’s biggest stages Thursday, as prominent conservative influencers used Turning Point USA’s annual youth conference to attack each other and their competing visions.
The feuding threatened to eclipse efforts to memorialize Charlie Kirk, the organization’s charismatic founder who was assassinated in September, even as participants insisted they were honoring the legacy of a unifying figure within the Republican Party.
First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories. Shapiro sharply criticized Carlson, a former Fox News host, for interviewing outspoken antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast, calling it “an act of moral imbecility.”
Barely an hour later, Carlson took the same stage and mocked Shapiro’s attempt to “deplatform and denounce” people who disagree with him.
“I watched it,” he said. “I laughed.”
The raw bitterness on the opening night of the four-day conference reflected deep divisions over the meaning of “America First” and next steps for the “Make America Great Again” movement defined more by the force of Trump’s personality than loyalty to a particular ideological project.
I don’t particularly care about the exact flavor of Nazis they want to be.
Sure, but a divide in what has mostly been a solid wall is a good opportunity
See, the thing about divide and conquer is that ‘divide’ is just the first step. What does conquest look like here? It’s like invading Russia: nobody wants the place – it’s full of fucking Russians. Likewise, if it was possible, who’d want to lay claim to these people?
it’s full of fucking Russians
The Mongols knew what to do about that.
I do, however, enjoy it when various flavors of Nazi fight each other.
So they get stronger?
I prefer it when they get Daryl-Davis’ed out of being Nazis.
Would love to see each their political compass result.
Not sure many would be so close to Nazi.
Maybe a lot more nearer 10,0 than 0,10.
All those fucking power-hungry dickheads.
First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.
Hahahahahahah!!! Pot calling kettle black. This sort of infighting is what happens when leadership falters. Trump’s corrupt mismanagement is becoming more apparent, and starting to tank his approval among even the hardcore MAGAts, and the other narcissists waiting in the wings are now knifing each other as they jockey for position. Wait until the economy comes completely unglued in 2026 and we experience major economic collapse, with bank runs, etc., similar to the lead-in to the Great Depression. We are definitely living in interesting times!
They’re fighting over your dollar.
The feuding threatened to eclipse efforts to memorialize Charlie Kirk, the organization’s charismatic founder
HAHAHAHA as charismatic as a hemorrhoid.
Fun to see the clash of nuance among right wing economics based political philosophies.
People’s front of MAGA.
Quite the power struggle, but everyone deserves a shot.
I see what you did there
Oh just wait until the mid-terms and general election. The limp-wrist sissy slapfighting will be for the ages with these goblins.
