This week, anti-Semitism made significant inroads within the MAGA movement.
It all began on Monday when Tucker Carlson hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes on his show, a major platform for MAGA supporters, where Fuentes made claims about “Organized Jews.” This led to immediate backlash, with conservatives intensely debating whether figures like Fuentes should be welcomed within their ranks, especially amid discussions about anti-Zionism among younger generations.
By Thursday, Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, stirred controversy by releasing a video defending Carlson. He proposed that instead of ostracizing Fuentes, conservatives should engage in discussions about him. Roberts contended that loyalty to “Christ first and always America” should take precedence over blind support for Israel, even when challenged by the so-called “globalist class.”
Such rhetoric invites unsettling imagery of a perceived parasitic Zionist lobby at odds with Christian nationalism, raising the stakes as Fuentes garners support from both a vocal MAGA adversary and a prominent think tank.
The shift in tone is striking, especially considering that for over a year, the Heritage Foundation has concentrated on combating anti-Semitism, commonly associated with the pro-Palestinian left.
In October 2024, they launched a campaign resembling Project Esther, which aims to mobilize conservative efforts against pro-Palestinian advocacy. This initiative echoes strategies employed by the Trump administration, targeting activists and universities and threatening legal actions against critics.
When Project Esther was first introduced, its supporters claimed the primary threat to Jewish safety was from the left, consequently neglecting the issue of right-wing anti-Semitism. Some, like James Carafano, dismissed the idea that anti-Semitism could permeate conservatism, arguing that white supremacists do not represent the movement.
Now, many Jewish supporters of Project Esther have shifted their perspective. Rabbi Yaakov Mencken, leading a right-wing Jewish coalition, expressed regret that Heritage was endorsing anti-Semites, warning of lasting repercussions.
Even Christian Zionists, like Luke Moon from the Philos Project, have acknowledged the unfortunate but predictable turn of events, revealing anxiety over diminishing influence amid deepening criticism of U.S. support for Israel.
Historically, American Jews and the Christian Right had forged a robust alliance, rallying around shared Judeo-Christian values essential to U.S.-Israel relations.
Project Esther enters a crowded field of bipartisan pro-Israel and anti-anti-Semitism groups—some of which have been criticized for weaponizing claims about anti-Semitism, obscuring legitimate critiques of Israel, and undermining free speech.
If conservatives genuinely aimed to tackle anti-Semitism, they might want to inspect their own segment first. While the left certainly grapples with anti-Semitism, it often seems more entrenched on the right alongside other forms of prejudice.
Statistics reveal that most extremist-related homicides over the past decade have stemmed from far-right factions, with studies indicating that young far-right individuals exhibit heightened anti-Semitic sentiments. Figures like Fuentes propagate long-standing anti-Jewish conspiracies, which align alarmingly well with today’s authoritarian approaches.
While some right-wing Jews may be caught off guard, others have long understood the potential pitfalls of allying with Christian nationalists. Continuous pressure to tie Jewish identity to defending controversial Israeli actions has seemingly intensified the very anti-Semitism they purport to fight against. Now, the deeper implications of right-wing alliances have become conspicuously clear.
As defenders of Israel grapple with these shifts, they’re finding themselves in a precarious position, their previous comfort now disrupted. Conservative voices like Rod Dreher have noted that many of his right-wing Jewish peers consider Tucker Carlson a significant threat.
This trend appears to be more than just a fleeting moment. For instance, Vice President J.D. Vance faced criticism at a Turning Point USA event, where he claimed that Israel “controls” Trump and suggested Judaism is “prosecuting” Christianity. Emerging right-wing leaders are solidifying their stance, showing minimal space for “Jews” in their interpretation of a Christian-dominated West.
Looking back, the left’s fixation on perceived anti-Semitism crises may well have been a serious oversight. In truth, the Jewish right is becoming embroiled with a much larger threat that could jeopardize not just the safety of Jews, but democracy itself. If their visions fall increasingly into disrepute, it’s crucial to wake up from the perilous situation they’ve fostered.
