Cal Thomas: Time for the Right to clean house
The conservative movement, particularly its traditional wing, is grappling with a significant identity crisis as it faces infiltration from the alt-right, a faction characterized by its embrace of antisemitism and racism. This troubling trend echoes historical instances, such as the 1960s when the John Birch Society attempted to co-opt conservatism. At that time, influential figures like William F. Buckley Jr. took a stand against radical elements within the movement, denouncing the extreme views of its founder, Robert Welch, particularly when Welch labeled President Dwight D. Eisenhower a “dedicated, conscious agent of the communist conspiracy.” Today, a similar challenge arises as prominent figures like Tucker Carlson engage with alt-right personalities, such as Nick Fuentes, who openly espouse white supremacist ideologies and criticize mainstream conservatives for their support of Israel.
The implications of this alt-right presence are profound, especially within the evangelical segment of the Republican Party. Carlson’s recent podcast with Fuentes highlighted a disturbing trend, where they condemned established conservative figures like Senator Ted Cruz and former President George W. Bush, labeling them “Christian Zionists” and suggesting they have succumbed to a “brain virus.” This rhetoric not only undermines the foundational values of conservatism but also poses a moral dilemma for evangelical leaders who must confront the growing acceptance of extremist views among their ranks. The alt-right’s narrative, which promotes the idea of a “white genocide,” demands a critical response from traditional conservatives, who must recognize the danger of allowing such ideologies to gain a foothold in their movement.
As conservatives reflect on their past, they are urged to take decisive action against the alt-right’s encroachment, much like Buckley did decades ago. The need for a clear denunciation of hate and division is crucial, especially in light of the alt-right’s attempts to redefine conservatism through a lens of racial superiority and exclusion. As Richard Spencer, a leading figure in the alt-right, advocates for a homogeneous “white identity,” traditional conservatives must reaffirm their commitment to inclusivity and reject the toxic ideologies that threaten to tarnish their legacy. As the Bible warns, “People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you,” highlighting the necessity for vigilance and moral clarity in the face of rising extremism.
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).
