The Fracturing of MAGA: How Israel, Antisemitism, and Conspiracy Theories Are Remaking the American Right
A staggering 17% of Republicans now identify with what the Manhattan Institute terms “anti-Semitic Republicans” – a demographic that’s younger, male, and surprisingly, more educated. This isn’t a fringe element anymore; it’s a growing fissure within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, exposed by the death of Charlie Kirk and the ensuing battles over U.S. policy towards Israel. What was once a relatively unified coalition is now splintering, revealing deep ideological fault lines that could reshape the American right for years to come.
The Kirk Tragedy and the Unraveling Consensus
The murder of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), in September served as a catalyst, not a full stop. While AmericaFest, TPUSA’s annual conservative gathering, drew 30,000 attendees, it was overshadowed by internal conflict. The shadow of figures like Nick Fuentes, a notorious antisemite, and Candace Owens, a purveyor of conspiracy theories, loomed large, despite their lack of official invitation. Their influence, amplified by social media, is actively destabilizing the established MAGA order.
The breaking point? Tucker Carlson’s October interview with Fuentes. This wasn’t simply a controversial conversation; it signaled a breakdown in the long-held Republican consensus on unwavering support for Israel. For decades, strong ties to Israel have been a cornerstone of the GOP platform, consistently championed even by Donald Trump during his presidency. Carlson’s subsequent attacks on “Christian Zionists” ignited a firestorm, particularly from within the conservative media landscape.
The Shapiro-Carlson Feud: A Proxy War for the Soul of the Right
Ben Shapiro, founder of The Daily Wire and a staunchly Orthodox Jew, didn’t hesitate to condemn Carlson’s actions. He publicly labeled the interview an “act of moral imbecility” and leveled accusations against Steve Bannon, drawing parallels to Jeffrey Epstein. This wasn’t just a personal attack; it was a declaration of war against a rising tide of isolationism and increasingly brazen antisemitism within the movement. The ensuing exchange at AmericaFest, with reciprocal insults traded between Shapiro and Carlson’s allies, laid bare the depth of the division.
Owens, fueled by her platform of 5.7 million YouTube subscribers, further inflamed the situation. Her propagation of baseless conspiracy theories – including the claim that Brigitte Macron is a man and the outlandish assertion that Kirk’s murder was orchestrated by Israeli, French, and Egyptian intelligence – demonstrated the power of misinformation to reshape narratives within the MAGA ecosystem. Kirk himself, before his death, reportedly expressed concern about pressure from TPUSA donors to distance himself from Carlson, fearing a backlash against his pro-Israel stance. Leaked messages revealed his frustration: “They leave me no choice but to abandon the pro-Israel cause.”
The Rise of “America First” Isolationism and the Information War
The shift isn’t simply about Israel; it’s about a broader embrace of “America First” isolationism. As Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, a well-connected figure on the American right, explained, Kirk was grappling with questions about Israel’s legitimacy and actions even before his death. The questions he faced – “Is Israel a State of apartheid?” and “Why is Israel carrying out ethnic cleansing?” – reflect a growing sentiment among young conservatives, fueled by information circulating on platforms like TikTok, where graphic images from Gaza are readily accessible. According to the Pew Research Center, 43% of those under 30 get their news from these social networks.
This highlights a critical point: the traditional media’s narrative is no longer controlling the flow of information. As Bruce Cockburn of Harper’s magazine notes, social media has created an environment where alternative perspectives, however distorted, can gain traction. Kirk himself warned Benjamin Netanyahu that he was “losing the information war” with American youth.
Vance and the Precarious Path Forward
The responsibility for navigating this fractured landscape now falls, in part, to figures like Vice President JD Vance, who received public support from Kirk’s widow at AmericaFest. Vance’s attempt to walk a tightrope – condemning antisemitism while refusing to “cancel” those who espouse controversial views – is likely unsustainable. He understands the delicate balance required to maintain the coalition, but the pressure to take a firm stance will only intensify, especially as he eyes a potential presidential run in 2028.
The future of the MAGA movement hinges on its ability to reconcile its traditional values with the rising tide of isolationism and conspiracy theories. The death of Charlie Kirk didn’t just expose a division; it illuminated a fundamental struggle for the soul of the American right. The coming months will determine whether this movement can find a path forward, or if it will continue to fragment into increasingly irreconcilable factions. The Manhattan Institute’s research provides further insight into the demographic trends driving this shift.
What will it take to bridge the widening gap within the conservative movement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
