I asked AI who is right - Ben Shapiro or Tucker Carlson.
This is the answer I received:
The question "who is right?" between Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson appears to reference their high-profile public feud that escalated at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 conference in Phoenix on December 19, 2025. This clash highlights deeper divisions within the conservative and MAGA movements over issues like antisemitism, free speech, U.S. foreign policy (especially regarding Israel and the Gaza conflict), conspiracy theories, and the direction of the Republican Party post-Trump. It's a subjective debate with no objective "winner," as it boils down to differing priorities and interpretations. I'll break it down non-partisanly based on their stated positions, factual context, and the broader implications, drawing from reliable reports.
Context of the Feud
Shapiro and Carlson, both influential conservative commentators, have clashed before but went head-to-head at AmericaFest—a major youth conservative event—shortly after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in September 2025. The conference aimed to honor Kirk's legacy but instead exposed rifts, with speakers like Shapiro accusing others of "grifting" through misinformation, and Carlson dismissing the drama as manufactured. The core disagreement revolves around:
Whether platforming controversial figures (e.g., white nationalists) constitutes enabling antisemitism.
U.S. support for Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war.
"America First" priorities vs. traditional conservative foreign policy.
Free speech vs. accountability for harmful ideas.
This isn't a new tension; it builds on prior criticisms, such as Carlson's 2024 interview with historian Darryl Cooper (accused of downplaying Nazi atrocities) and his hosting of Nick Fuentes earlier in 2025.
Ben Shapiro's Position
Shapiro, a staunch pro-Israel advocate and founder of The Daily Wire, argues that Carlson (along with figures like Candace Owens and Steve Bannon) is undermining conservatism by promoting or tolerating antisemitic views and conspiracy theories for personal gain. Key points from his AmericaFest speech and related statements:
Accusations of Antisemitism: Shapiro called Carlson a "fraud and grifter" for hosting Nick Fuentes—a self-described white nationalist, Holocaust denier, and Hitler apologist—on his podcast and "glazing" (excessively praising or not challenging) him. He described this as "an act of moral imbecility" and said Carlson should "own it" if he's aligning with such views. Fuentes is indeed a fringe figure known for antisemitic rhetoric, including praising Hitler and denying aspects of the Holocaust (verified by groups like the ADL).
Conspiracy Theories: He criticized Carlson for spreading ideas like Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Mossad (Israel's intelligence agency), which Shapiro sees as antisemitic tropes that fuel hatred against Jews.
Broader Harm: Shapiro views this as a threat to the GOP, urging institutions like the Heritage Foundation to distance themselves from Carlson. He argues that tolerating such "charlatans" alienates allies and promotes dishonesty, especially amid rising antisemitism post-October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. At AmericaFest, he mocked Carlson's maturity, implying his actions are childish or irresponsible.
Pro-Israel Stance: Shapiro supports robust U.S. aid to Israel, seeing criticism of its Gaza operations as often veiled antisemitism rather than legitimate policy debate.
Shapiro's view aligns with traditional neoconservative principles: combating hate speech and maintaining strong international alliances.
Tucker Carlson's Position
Carlson, a former Fox News host now independent via his Tucker Carlson Network, positions himself as an "America First" populist skeptical of foreign interventions and "cancel culture." He responded to Shapiro during his AmericaFest speech, framing the feud as overblown. Key points:
Denial of Antisemitism: Carlson explicitly stated he's not antisemitic, calling it "immoral" to hate people based on how they're born (e.g., race or ethnicity). He argued that "anti-white-male" bias in the U.S. is a more pressing and systemic form of hatred than antisemitism today. He dismissed the GOP "civil war" as "totally fake," attributing it to power struggles rather than real ideological divides.
Free Speech Defense: He mocked Shapiro's calls for deplatforming as hypocritical, especially at an event founded by Charlie Kirk (known for promoting open debate). Carlson laughed off Shapiro's speech, calling it "hilarious" and antithetical to Kirk's values. He railed against "cancel culture" in general, arguing for hosting diverse (even controversial) voices to foster discussion.
Criticism of Israel and Foreign Policy: Carlson equated Israel's military actions in Gaza—where over 40,000 Palestinians have died since 2023, including many civilians—to immoral violence, saying killing innocent children is wrong regardless of location (e.g., comparing it to U.S. urban crime). He questions unwavering U.S. support for Israel as not truly "America First," potentially entangling the U.S. in endless wars.cnn.com
Coalition Building: In his speech, he called for a broad alliance of "ordinary Americans" rejecting identity politics and race-based narratives, focusing on accountability and domestic priorities.singjupost.com
Carlson's view emphasizes isolationism, anti-establishment populism, and unrestricted dialogue, appealing to younger conservatives disillusioned with foreign aid.
Who Is "Right"? A Truth-Seeking Analysis
This isn't a binary question with a clear answer—it's subjective and depends on your values:
If you prioritize combating antisemitism and hate speech: Shapiro has a stronger case. Factually, Nick Fuentes promotes white supremacy and Holocaust denial (e.g., he's banned from most platforms for this). Hosting him without strong condemnation can normalize those ideas, especially amid a 2025 surge in U.S. antisemitic incidents (up 200% since 2023 per FBI data). Conspiracies like Epstein-Mossad often stem from antisemitic stereotypes, as noted by experts.
If you prioritize free speech and "America First" isolationism: Carlson makes valid points. Suppressing debate (even with extremists) risks authoritarianism, and U.S. foreign aid to Israel ($3.8B+ annually) is a legitimate policy question. Gaza's civilian toll is well-documented by groups like the UN (though Israel disputes figures and blames Hamas for using human shields), raising ethical concerns about U.S. involvement.
Shared Ground and Flaws: Both condemn hate in principle, but selectively—Shapiro focuses on antisemitism while downplaying other biases; Carlson highlights anti-white rhetoric but minimizes antisemitism's impact. Neither is a "grifter" in the literal sense (both have built empires on their views), but the feud amplifies divisions in a post-Trump GOP, where 2025 polls show younger Republicans increasingly skeptical of Israel support (Pew Research).
Ultimately, neither is fully "right" in an absolute sense; the truth lies in nuance. Platforming extremists carries risks, but so does censorship. If the question refers to a different context (e.g., an older debate), clarify for more details. For ongoing updates, check sources like CNN or Politico, as this rift may evolve.
