The four-day Turning Point USA AmericaFest, meant to honor the late Charlie Kirk, became a battleground for Trump-era politics when Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson clashed on stage.
Rising Tensions at AmericaFest
The event, held in Phoenix, drew thousands of conservative supporters. Erika Kirk, widow of the slain founder, opened the conference with a warning about growing fractures: “we’ve seen fractures, we’ve seen bridges being burned that shouldn’t be burnt.” The mood was tense as participants tried to frame the evening as a tribute to a unifying Republican figure.
The Shapiro-Carlson Clash
Ben Shapiro launched into a critique of Tucker Carlson, calling him a “grifter and charlatan” who had “misled audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.” He further accused Carlson of an “act of moral imbecility” for interviewing Nick Fuentes, labeling the antisemite a “troll.”
Within an hour, Carlson took the stage and mocked Shapiro’s push to “deplatform and denounce” dissenters. He said, “I watched it, I laughed.” Carlson dismissed the idea of a civil war in the Trump coalition as “totally fake,” adding that the narrative was fueled by those who “hope to prevent Vice President JD Vance from becoming Republicans’ next leader.”
Shapiro countered that many conservatives were “failing their audiences by winking at conspiratorial claims and claiming they’re ‘just asking questions.'” He also highlighted that Charlie Kirk had known Fuentes was “an evil troll” and that Carlson’s interview was a moral mistake.
Conspiracy Claims and Erika Kirk’s Response
Turning Point has struggled with conspiracy theories from former employee Candace Owens, who alleged Israeli spies were involved in Kirk’s death. Erika Kirk cut short a private meeting with Owens, replying with a single word: “Stop.” She accused Owens of profiting from the tragedy and warned that conspiracy peddlers could “taint the jury pool” and let the killer get away.
Owens later claimed on her show that, despite a four-and-a-half-hour conversation, she still doubts Tyler Robinson acted alone. She also posted on X that “Ben only cares about Israel’s interests,” repeating her claim of Israeli involvement.
Conference Atmosphere and Remaining Days
Three days remain for the conference, which continues to draw large crowds. Attendees have the chance to meet media personalities, religious leaders, and political figures, including Vice President Vance, who is scheduled to speak on Sunday, and Donald Trump Jr. The event also features anti-abortion groups, Christian colleges, and recruiters from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Participants, many in red, white, and blue or wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, have taken selfies in front of signs that read “we are all Charlie Kirk.” One 20-year-old from South Dakota said, “I just felt like I had an obligation to be here.”
Key Takeaways
- Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson engaged in a heated public dispute over Trump-era politics.
- Erika Kirk confronted conspiracy theories surrounding her husband’s death and warned against their influence.
- The Turning Point USA conference remains a focal point for Republican divisions and a platform for political recruitment.
The clash at AmericaFest underscores deepening rifts within the Republican Party as it prepares for upcoming midterm elections and the eventual exit of Donald Trump from public office.
