The Right’s Nick Fuentes Problem and Tucker Carlson’s Role
Ben Shapiro’s latest podcast episode titled “Tucker Carlson Sabotages America” bluntly criticizes Carlson’s impact on the American Right. Shapiro portrays Carlson as a key figure spreading harmful ideas, describing him as a “super spreader of vile ideas … coward … terrible friend … and master of gaslighting.”
In his Monday monologue, Shapiro took a stand that most right-wing commentators avoid: he clearly identified the problem and named names. He argued that a vocal faction of white identitarians around Nick Fuentes is intentionally causing division within the American Right. This faction is being normalized and brought into the mainstream largely through Tucker Carlson’s platform, with surprising support from institutions like the Heritage Foundation.
Clarifying the Nature of the Conflict
Shapiro clarifies what this battle is not about:
- It is not about free speech.
- It is not about “cancellation.”
According to Shapiro, Fuentes has every legal right to speak, and Carlson has every right to interview him. He asserts that he opposes efforts to de-platform Fuentes despite finding him “odious and despicable.”
“Free speech, properly understood, is freedom from government coercion — not a right to be promoted, signal-boosted, and flattered by major conservative platforms.”
The real issue, Shapiro insists, is about setting moral boundaries.
Author’s Summary
Ben Shapiro criticizes Tucker Carlson for mainstreaming Nick Fuentes’ divisive faction, urging the Right to draw clear moral boundaries beyond free speech debates.