Cal Thomas: Time for the Right to clean house
The conservative movement in America, particularly its traditional and evangelical factions, is grappling with a significant challenge as the alt-right seeks to infiltrate and redefine its core principles. This radical fringe, characterized by its antisemitism and racism, threatens to tarnish the legacy of true conservatism exemplified by figures like Ronald Reagan. Historical parallels can be drawn to the 1960s when the John Birch Society, led by Robert Welch, attempted to hijack the movement. National Review’s founder, William F. Buckley Jr., ultimately took a stand against Welch’s extremist views, particularly when Welch labeled President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a “dedicated, conscious agent of the communist conspiracy.” Buckley’s denouncement was a pivotal moment that helped preserve the integrity of conservatism during a time of internal strife.
Fast forward to today, and the alt-right’s influence is more pronounced, with prominent figures like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson engaging openly with white supremacists such as Nick Fuentes. In a recent podcast, Carlson criticized mainstream conservatives who support Israel, labeling them as “Christian Zionists” afflicted by a “brain virus.” Fuentes, who has previously been marginalized by the mainstream right for his extremist views—including admiration for Hitler and claims of Jewish control over the nation—echoed sentiments that portray Jewish people as a threat to white interests. This rhetoric not only amplifies the alt-right’s agenda but also complicates the Republican Party’s relationship with its evangelical base, which has historically emphasized support for Israel.
The urgency for traditional conservatives to confront this infiltration cannot be overstated. Figures like Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation have defended controversial personalities like Carlson, signaling a troubling alignment with alt-right ideologies. Moreover, when given the chance to denounce these extremist views, politicians like Vice President J.D. Vance have instead opted for ambiguous responses, failing to challenge the underlying racism and antisemitism. The alt-right’s core belief in a fabricated notion of “white genocide” further complicates the landscape, as it seeks to rally support among young conservatives. Richard Spencer, a leading figure in the alt-right movement, advocates for the creation of a white “ethno-state,” a concept reminiscent of historical segregationist ideologies. As the conservative movement stands at a crossroads, it is imperative for its leaders, especially within the evangelical community, to recognize the dangers posed by the alt-right and to reaffirm their commitment to the fundamental tenets of conservatism that promote unity and inclusivity rather than division and hatred.
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).
