Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts faced intense criticism from staff and fellows during an internal meeting Wednesday, with some demanding his resignation over his handling of a controversy involving Tucker Carlson. A video of the private session, shared by the Washington Free Beacon, revealed sharp divisions within the organization.
A Heritage member accused Roberts of allowing the foundation to “bleed” under his leadership, citing frustration over the institution’s failure to address Carlson’s ties to antisemitic and bigoted figures. The staff member criticized the lack of a clear statement on Carlson’s platforming of radical white nationalist Nick Fuentes, stating, “I don’t know where the institution stands.”
Roberts apologized during the meeting but did not retract his support for Carlson or condemn his remarks. He blamed his former chief of staff, Ryan Neuhaus, for drafting a controversial script that defended Carlson’s podcast interview with Fuentes, a Holocaust denier. Despite stepping down as chief of staff, Neuhaus remains in a leadership role at Heritage.
The controversy began after Roberts praised Carlson as a “courageous truth-teller” and “friend of Heritage,” dismissing criticism of his association with Fuentes. He later claimed he was unaware of Fuentes’ extremist views, despite the podcast’s content.
Staff members repeatedly questioned Roberts’ decisions, including his refusal to distance Heritage from Carlson’s rhetoric. Robert Rector, a longtime fellow, highlighted Fuentes’ admiration for Hitler and asked, “Do we want him in the conservative movement?” Another staff member described the damage to Heritage’s reputation as “the worst I have ever seen.”
Several Jewish organizations, including the Coalition for Jewish Values and Combat Antisemitism Movement, have withdrawn from Heritage’s Task Force on Antisemitism. Morton Klein of the Zionist Organization of America warned of severing ties unless Heritage repudiates Carlson.
Roberts claimed he would “confront noxious ideas” but faced skepticism from staff, who labeled his apology a “weak response.” Amy Swearer, a legal scholar, accused him of enabling “the most unhinged dregs of the far right,” while Rachel Greszler called for his resignation.
