Cal Thomas: Time for the Right to clean house
The conservative movement, particularly the brand epitomized by Ronald Reagan, is currently grappling with a significant challenge: the infiltration of the alt-right, a faction that diverges from traditional conservatism and is often associated with antisemitism and racism. This encroachment is not unprecedented; history recalls the John Birch Society’s controversial influence in the 1960s, which prompted William F. Buckley Jr. to publicly denounce its more extreme elements. Buckley’s decisive stance against Robert Welch’s assertions, including the unfounded claim that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a communist agent, marked a pivotal moment in the conservative movement’s effort to distance itself from fringe ideologies. Today, as traditional conservatives face a similar dilemma, figures like Tucker Carlson are providing a platform for alt-right voices, such as Nick Fuentes, who openly espouse dangerous and divisive views.
In a recent podcast, Carlson and Fuentes criticized mainstream conservatives, including notable figures like Senator Ted Cruz and former President George W. Bush, labeling them as “Christian Zionists” afflicted by a “brain virus.” This rhetoric not only undermines the foundational values of conservatism but also emboldens a segment of the alt-right that promotes a narrative of white victimhood and conspiracy theories targeting Jewish communities. The implications of this ideological shift are profound, especially for the evangelical wing of the Republican Party, which must confront the alt-right’s central tenet: the belief in a fabricated “white genocide” narrative that calls for the advocacy of white interests. This troubling trend is further exacerbated by the reluctance of some conservative leaders, such as Vice President J.D. Vance, to openly denounce these extremist views, thereby risking the normalization of hate within the party.
Prominent figures in the alt-right, like Richard Spencer, continue to advocate for a racially homogeneous society, echoing sentiments reminiscent of historical white supremacist ideologies. As conservatives reflect on their identity and values, they are reminded of the importance of vigilance against extremist ideologies that threaten to tarnish their movement. The lessons from past confrontations with radical fringe groups underscore the necessity for leaders to take a firm stand against hate and division. As the conservative movement navigates this complex landscape, it must prioritize its foundational principles over the allure of populist rhetoric that seeks to exploit fear and division. In this critical juncture, adherence to moral integrity, as echoed in Proverbs, serves as a guiding reminder for conservatives to reject the deceit of hatred cloaked in pleasant words.
Conservatives –
true
conservatives, as in the Ronald Reagan brand – have a problem. The movement has been invaded by the “alt-right” (or alternative right), a brand that is not conservative, but rather slogs through the mud of antisemitism and racism, staining all who support or refuse to denounce it.
This attempt to hijack conservatism by a radical fringe is not new. In the 1960s,
Robert Welch
and his John Birch Society (JBS) infiltrated the movement. It took the founder of the conservative publication National Review, William F. Buckley Jr., to denounce some of Welch’s extreme views. When Welch claimed Dwight D. Eisenhower was a “dedicated, conscious agent of the communist conspiracy”, it was the breaking point for Buckley, who had been reluctant to criticize Welch, largely because many JBS members contributed financially to his magazine.
Now comes a similar challenge for traditional conservatives and especially the evangelical wing of the Republican Party. On a recent podcast, former Fox News Channel host
Tucker Carlson
interviewed Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist and antisemite. The two joined in condemnation of conservatives who support Israel. Carlson specifically mentioned Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), former president George W. Bush, and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. He called them “Christian Zionists” who have been “seized by this brain virus.”
Kevin Roberts
, president of the Heritage Foundation, which guided many of the policies of Ronald Reagan and has been influential with the Trump administration, defended Carlson, saying he “remains … and always will be a close friend of the Heritage Foundation.”
Fuentes – who used to be ostracized by the mainstream right for his views, including support of Hitler and claims that Jews run the country – said on the podcast that “organized Jewry” holds “outsize influence.” He also said he is a “fan of Joseph Stalin,” one of the world’s most notorious butchers.
Alt-right proponents are not shy about voicing their beliefs, including antisemitism and in some cases a denial of the Holocaust and racism. Members of this small but growing movement, especially among the young, often blame Jewish people for allegedly promoting what they claim are anti-white policies like immigration (illegal and legal) and diversity. Last week, Vice President
J.D. Vance
had an opportunity to denounce these beliefs. During a question- and-answer session following his speech at the University of Mississippi, sponsored by Turning Point USA, Vance was asked about U.S. support of Israel and the theological differences between Jews and Christians. Instead of denouncing what appeared to be a “dog whistle” and the barely disguised political premise of the question, Vance punted and said America has traditionally made alliances with nations whose policies and beliefs don’t necessarily agree with ours.
It’s critical, especially for the evangelical wing of the Republican Party, that they know the central tenet of the
alt-right
: white people are an endangered race facing “white genocide” and that they should advocate for their collective interests.
Richard Spencer,
48, is a prominent white supremacist who is credited for coining the term “alt-right” and a leading figure in the movement. He supports the creation of a white “ethno-state.” Shades of white supremacists in the old South.
Spencer also supports the transformation of the European Union into a white racial empire, replacing the many European ethnic identities with one homogeneous “white identity,” according to media stories and several books about Spencer and his movement.
Conservatives take note as Bill Buckley eventually did when conservatism faced similar challenges six decades ago. As for the evangelicals among the alt-right, consider one of many verses about hate: “People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.” (
Proverbs 26:24-25
).
Readers may email Cal Thomas at
tcaeditors@tribpub.com
. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).
