The Conservative Movement's Intellectual Collapse

"The Heritage Foundation, which has stood for decades as the intellectual crown jewel of the conservative movement, has been convulsed in an ugly public spat over the organization's approach to anti-Semitism. Employees and visiting scholars are resigning from and revolting against the think tank over its defense of the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's interview with Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist and anti-Semite who has gained prominence in MAGA circles."

"Founded in 1973, the Heritage Foundation used to deliver the talking points for American conservatives, with white papers that reliably promoted free markets, free trade, a hawkish foreign policy, and limited government. The foundation still employs scholars and publishes papers, but lately it has aligned itself with the MAGA movement. It now operates as a kind of Trumpian messaging organ, bending its positions to comport with whatever the president says."

"This has involved not only abandoning the think tank's earlier principles on foreign policy and trade, but also embracing fringe characters who are beloved by Donald Trump's followers. Heritage president Kevin Roberts did little to allay concerns about the foundation's intellectual health with his explanation for why he defended Carlson's interview. "I didn't know much about this Fuentes guy," Roberts insisted at an internal staff meeting."

The Heritage Foundation faces resignations and internal revolt after defending Tucker Carlson's interview with Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist and anti-Semite. The dispute exposes how previously forbidden bigotries have penetrated the Trump-era Republican Party and signals a broader intellectual collapse within conservatism. Founded in 1973 to provide policy white papers promoting free markets, free trade, hawkish foreign policy, and limited government, the foundation has recently aligned itself with the MAGA movement. The organization now often tailors positions to the president and has abandoned prior principles on foreign policy and trade. Leadership comments downplaying awareness of Fuentes intensified concerns about institutional health.

Read at The Atlantic