By Newsmax Wires | Monday, 03 November 2025 10:53 PM EST
The Heritage Foundation, one of Washington’s most influential conservative think tanks, has faced internal upheaval after its president, Kevin Roberts, publicly supported Tucker Carlson following the former Fox News host’s contentious interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. The controversy has sparked resignations, staff outrage, and demands for Roberts’ removal.
Internal communications reviewed by the Post reveal senior Heritage employees expressed embarrassment and disgust over Roberts’ defense of Carlson, who aired a two-hour discussion with Fuentes—a figure accused of Holocaust denial and praise for authoritarian leaders. Staffers criticized Roberts’ response as “ridiculous” and questioned how a prominent conservative institution could endorse such rhetoric.
The fallout began after Carlson’s interview with Fuentes, which amassed over 17 million views on X. In the exchange, Fuentes labeled himself a “fan” of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, attacked “organized Jewry,” and dismissed Christian support for Israel. Carlson accused American Christians backing Israel of suffering from a “brain virus.”
Three days later, Roberts released a video statement condemning efforts to “cancel our own people” and defending Carlson as a “close friend” of the Heritage Foundation. His remarks, which garnered over 23 million views, framed the backlash against Carlson as “venomous” and divisive. Roberts claimed he opposed Fuentes’ antisemitic views but argued against canceling him.
The statement intensified internal dissent. One staffer wrote, “If we are labeled on the same side as Nick Fuentes, then we deserve to lose.” Another accused Roberts of “playing footsie with literal Nazis.” The controversy led to the reassignment of Roberts’ chief of staff, Ryan Neuhaus, who later resigned, and the departure of David Bernstein, a Jewish scholar involved in Heritage’s anti-antisemitism initiatives.
Bernstein criticized Roberts’ rhetoric as an attack on Jewish political agency, calling the “no enemies to the right” mantra dangerous. Donor support from evangelical Christian and Jewish groups has reportedly declined since Roberts’ comments. References to Heritage’s sponsorship of “The Tucker Carlson Network” have also been removed from its donations page.
Prominent board members, including Princeton professor Robert P. George, have urged Roberts’ removal, citing concerns over the foundation’s alignment with extremist ideologies. Despite the turmoil, Heritage maintains Roberts retains board backing. A spokesperson stated, “Heritage’s Board of Trustees continues to support Dr. Roberts and our entire team.”
Roberts later clarified his stance, asserting he opposed Fuentes’ antisemitic views but emphasized the need for nuance in free speech debates. The crisis highlights growing fractures within conservative circles, with Senator Ted Cruz warning of rising antisemitism on the right.
