Cal Thomas: Time for the Right to clean house
The conservative movement, particularly the brand exemplified by Ronald Reagan, faces a significant challenge from the rising influence of the alt-right, a faction marked by its embrace of racism and antisemitism. This troubling trend is reminiscent of past infiltrations, notably in the 1960s when the John Birch Society, led by Robert Welch, attempted to steer conservatism towards extremist views. William F. Buckley Jr., founder of the influential conservative magazine National Review, famously denounced Welch’s radical claims, such as his assertion that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a communist agent. Buckley’s decisive stand was crucial in preserving the integrity of mainstream conservatism against fringe elements, a lesson that contemporary conservatives must heed as they navigate the current landscape.
In recent developments, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson interviewed white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who has gained notoriety for his extremist views, including a disturbing admiration for Hitler and claims of Jewish influence in American politics. Carlson’s remarks, which criticized prominent conservatives like Sen. Ted Cruz and former President George W. Bush for their support of Israel, reflect a growing acceptance of alt-right rhetoric within certain conservative circles. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, defended Carlson, highlighting a troubling alignment between traditional conservative institutions and alt-right figures. This shift is particularly concerning for the evangelical wing of the Republican Party, which must confront the alt-right’s central ideology that portrays white people as an endangered group facing “white genocide.”
Prominent alt-right figures, such as Richard Spencer, advocate for a white ethno-state and promote the idea of a homogenous racial identity, echoing the segregationist sentiments of the old South. As the alt-right continues to gain traction, especially among younger conservatives, it is imperative for traditional conservatives to draw a clear line against these extremist ideologies. The biblical verse from Proverbs serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of hatred disguised as political discourse. As history has shown, the failure to confront such ideologies can lead to a broader erosion of the values that define conservatism. The current moment calls for a robust defense of traditional conservative principles against the encroachment of the alt-right, ensuring that the movement remains true to its foundational beliefs.
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).
