Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, a four-day gathering in Phoenix, became a battlefield for conservative leaders, with Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, and Steve Bannon sparring over Israel, Trump, and the future of the MAGA movement.
Erika Kirk Sets the Tone
When the convention reached its midpoint, Erika Kirk, who has headed Turning Point USA since her husband Charlie’s assassination in September, tried to keep the mood light. “Say what you want about AmFest, but it’s definitely not boring,” she said. “Feels like a Thanksgiving dinner where your family’s hashing out the family business.”
Shapiro Fires Back at Fellow Commentators
Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the Daily Wire, launched into a personal critique of other right-wing voices. He called Candace Owens “has been vomiting all sorts of hideous and conspiratorial nonsense into the public square for years.” He branded Megyn Kelly “guilty of cowardice” for not condemning Owens’ unsubstantiated claims about Kirk’s death and described Tucker Carlson’s hosting of Nick Fuentes as “an act of moral imbecility.”
Carlson Responds and Bannon Joins In
Within an hour, Carlson took the stage and mocked Shapiro’s attempt to “deplatform and denounce” dissenters. “I watched it,” he said. “I laughed.” The next evening, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon declared, “Ben Shapiro is like a cancer, and that cancer spreads.” Kelly also rebuked Shapiro, saying, “I resent that he thinks he’s in a position to decide who must say what, to whom, and when.”
Owens and the Fallout
Candace Owens, who has spread unsubstantiated theories about Kirk’s death, returned to her podcast and called Shapiro a “miserable imp.” The exchange highlighted the deepening rift among conservative media figures.
Israel and Antisemitism Debate
Israel was a recurring topic. Some on the right questioned whether the Republican Party’s historic support for Israel aligns with Trump’s “America First” stance. Carlson criticized civilian deaths in Gaza, a remark more common in progressive circles. Attendees also revisited the 1967 USS Liberty incident, noting Israel’s claim it mistook the ship for an Egyptian vessel and critics’ belief it was a deliberate strike. Bannon accused Shapiro, who is Jewish, and other staunch Israel supporters of being part of “the Israel first crowd.” Kelly added that criticism from Shapiro and Bari Weiss, the newly installed head of CBS News, “is about Israel.”
Vance’s Closing Speech
Vice President JD Vance closed the conference by refusing to condemn extremism or set a boundary for the MAGA coalition. He stated, “I didn’t bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to deplatform,” and urged that the movement should welcome anyone who “love[s] America.”
Kirk Endorses Vance for Presidency
Erika Kirk pledged Turning Point’s support for Vance as the next Republican presidential nominee. “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she said on the first night of the convention. Vance would become the 48th president if he succeeds Trump.
Newsom as the Target
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a leading Democratic presidential contender, was a favorite punching bag. Vance remarked, “It looks like they’re going to nominate a California liberal who’s presided over rolling blackouts, open borders and unchecked violent gangs.” He added, “They’re just trying to settle on whether it’s going to be Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris.” Rapper Nicki Minaj, who appeared unexpectedly, called Newsom “Newscum” and said, “Please tread lightly,” during an on-stage conversation with Kirk. “That’s what I would say to Gabby-poo.” A representative for Newsom did not respond to a request for comment.
MAHA’s Rise Within MAGA
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement made a strong showing at Turning Point, indicating its rapid ascent in right-wing circles. Spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy, who leads the Department of Health and Human Services, MAHA has clashed with other elements of the Make America Great Again coalition over environmental regulation rollback. Wellness influencer Alex Clark, whose podcast is sponsored by Turning Point, asked the crowd whether the Environmental Protection Agency was “with us or against us?” He added, “Big chemical, big ag and big food are trying to split MAGA from MAHA so things can go back to business as usual, but we don’t want that, do we?”
Clark and others urged Trump to fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Zeldin reached out to MAHA activists, and the EPA announced it would release a MAHA agenda for the agency. EPA press secretary Carolyn Holran said, “The Trump EPA wants to partner with the MAHA community and make sure everyone has a seat at the table.”
Key Takeaways
- AmericaFest turned into a platform for heated exchanges among conservative leaders.
- Ben Shapiro’s critique of fellow commentators sparked retaliatory attacks from Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, and Megyn Kelly.
- Discussions about Israel highlighted tensions between traditional GOP support for Israel and Trump’s America-First rhetoric.
- Vice President JD Vance emphasized inclusivity for those who “love America,” while Erika Kirk pledged Turning Point’s backing for his presidential bid.
The convention showcased deepening divisions within the conservative movement, with debates over media criticism, foreign policy, and the future direction of the Republican Party.
Closing
AmericaFest’s final day underscored the growing fractures among conservative voices, as leaders clashed over media accountability, foreign policy, and the shape of the MAGA coalition. The event’s heated exchanges may shape the Republican Party’s boundaries and influence the trajectory of Trump’s coalition in the months and years ahead.
