WASHINGTON — Former economic adviser to Donald Trump, Stephen Moore, stepped down from the conservative Heritage Foundation on Thursday. His resignation followed significant backlash and pressure from donors concerning the think tank’s president, Kevin Roberts, who had defended Tucker Carlson, a supporter of white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
Moore, who had been associated with the prominent center-right think tank for over a decade, didn’t address the internal unrest regarding Roberts’ support for Carlson or the latter’s subsequent apology. According to sources, Moore was under pressure to resign.
“After 12 happy and fulfilling years, I have decided to step down from my position as a Senior Visiting Scholar at the Heritage Foundation to focus my workload on continuing to build @Comm4Prosperity. The impact of the daily hotline is growing,” Moore stated on X.
Sources indicated that donors had requested Moore’s departure, though he didn’t elaborate on the situation. His wife, Anne, previously tweeted—now deleted—that Roberts didn’t deserve a “second chance,” confirming her husband’s resignation.
Anne Moore remarked, “If you don’t do the right thing the first time in a privileged place like this, you don’t get a second chance.” She made this statement shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday. In a post shared by former “The View” co-host Meghan McCain, it was mentioned that Moore intended to resign after 12 meaningful years with Heritage.
Moore, who served as a senior economic adviser on Trump’s 2016 campaign and played a role in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, declined further comments when reached for a follow-up.
Derrick Morgan, the executive vice president of the Heritage Foundation, praised Moore’s abilities, calling him a “talented communicator of the free market” and a valued partner.
Moore’s resignation came amidst concerns raised by several members of Heritage’s anti-Semitism task force, including Luke Moon, one of the co-founders. They expressed the need to confront what they see as rising anti-Semitism within right-wing circles.
The task force’s demands included removing a video in which Roberts defended Carlson, as well as issuing apologies to conservative Christians and Jews who hold a significant view of Israel’s role. They also wanted condemnation of Carlson’s anti-Semitic comments.
Fuentes, identified by the Anti-Defamation League as a “white supremacist leader,” made several controversial remarks during an interview with Carlson that has since drawn scrutiny. In this lengthy conversation, Fuentes accused organized Jews of influence in American politics and expressed admiration for historical figures like Joseph Stalin.
In a recent statement, Roberts condemned the “toxic coalition” he believes is trying to undermine Carlson’s appearance on his show, affirming Carlson’s close ties with the Heritage Foundation. Roberts further admitted to disagreeing with Fuentes, yet emphasized that attempts to “cancel” him are not constructive.
Despite the backlash, Heritage leaders haven’t retracted support for Roberts, opting instead to place blame on previous staff for the contentious remarks.
Roberts later clarified his choice of words regarding the “toxic coalition” and acknowledged the serious concerns of those fighting against anti-Semitism. He emphasized that it was vital to speak out against such issues, regardless of the messenger.
In a contrasting response, Carlson remarked on the situation, questioning if the conservative stance now supports free speech only if it aligns with specific agendas. He expressed willingness to have Fuentes on his platform again, as he labeled Fuentes an influential voice for younger men.
At a meeting in D.C., Heritage staff had mixed feelings about Roberts’ relationship with Carlson and the broader issue of anti-Semitism within conservatism. Some expressed their frustration, while others voiced support for Roberts, urging him not to resign.
Roberts, in a follow-up statement, mentioned the importance of addressing challenging conversations within the conservative movement.
