A fierce debate over free speech has erupted within the conservative sphere following Tucker Carlson’s controversial interview with Nick Fuentes, a far-right commentator notorious for his inflammatory rhetoric. This issue has sparked a significant division in the MAGA community.

Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, has come forward with a video statement defending Carlson. Despite Carlson’s exit from Fox News, his conversation with Fuentes has drawn substantial attention, given Fuentes’ history of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks.

Fuentes, who is 27, has gained notoriety for his provocative statements, including disparaging comments about Israel and egregious comparisons of the Holocaust to baking cookies. During the interview with Carlson, Fuentes claimed that the biggest obstacle to national unity was what he termed “organized Jewry.”

The aftermath of this interview has seen a chorus of influential conservative voices demanding Carlson’s ousting from right-wing circles, highlighting the contentious nature of the free speech debate within the conservative movement.

Following Carlson’s interview, a coalition of prominent conservative voices have called for Carlson to be exiled from right-wing circles.

Roberts, however, denounced the ‘venomous coalition’ criticizing Carlson and said ‘their attempt to cancel him will fail.’

The Heritage Foundation is one of the most influential Republican think tanks in the country, with revenue that exceeds $100 million.

‘Christians can critique the State of Israel without being anti-Semitic, and of course, anti-Semitism should be condemned,’ Roberts said. My loyalty as a Christian and as an American is to Christ first and to America always.’

Roberts added, ‘I disagree with, and even abhor, things that Nick Fuentes says, but canceling him is not the answer either. When we disagree with a person’s thoughts and opinions, we challenge those ideas in debate, and we have seen success in this approach as we continue to dismantle the vile ideas of the left.’

Tucker Carlson sparked major backlash across the conservative media sphere after he interviewed Nick Fuentes, a political commentator known for making anti-Semitic comments.

Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts stood by Carlson’s interview with Fuentes in a video statement posted on Thursday

Carlson attacked ‘Christian Zionists’ such as Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz for being heretics in his latest interview 

Carlson, during his interview with Fuentes, disagreed with the controversial political commentator on a variety of issues, but the pair found agreement over their shared critique of Israel.

The former Fox News star slammed conservatives such as Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz for being ‘Christian Zionists,’ adding, ‘I dislike them more than anybody…because it’s Christian heresy.’

Roberts released his statement on X after speculation online suggested that Heritage had cut ties with Carlson due to a pressure campaign from pro-Israel voices.

The defense of Carlson created huge fallout in MAGA circles as pro-Israel conservative figures denounced Roberts.

‘My mother was a Heritage board member for 40 years. You have befouled her, you rancid wretch of an amoeba,’ wrote conservative editor John Podhoretz.

Meanwhile, Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks announced the group will reassess its relationship with the Heritage Foundation.

‘I am appalled, offended and disgusted that [Kevin Roberts] and Heritage would stand with Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes,’ Brooks told Jewish Insider.

Journalist Emily Schrader added, ‘Tucker Carlson is a moral coward and anyone backing him has no intellectual or moral principles. Shame on you Heritage, you have betrayed every American value that exists. An absolute embarrassment to the U.S. and everything we stand for as Americans.’

Prominent pro-Israel conservative voices are condemning Roberts’ defense of Carlson

Tablet magazine editor Park MacDougald had a very direct response to Roberts: ‘What a craven piece of sh*t.’

Other prominent conservative voices online approved of Roberts’ decision to stand by Carlson, echoing his pro-Christian sentiment.

‘Brilliant. Christ First, America Always,’ wrote Federalist CEO and co-founder Sean Davis.

The CEO of American Moment, a conservative non-profit dedicated to staffing Republican offices, also defended Roberts.

[Roberts] has been slandered, attacked, and dismissed by the conservative establishment since 2022,’ wrote Nick Solheim. ‘Once again, they’ve all been proven wrong. Kevin’s a leader for this moment, and I’ve never been more excited about where our movement is headed.’

Turning Point USA official Gabe Guidarini praised Roberts for not attacking Carlson, adding, ‘Moral courage wins.’

Fuentes, the figure at the center of this controversy, responded to Roberts’ video statement by thanking him for defending ‘open discourse.’

Fuentes thanked Roberts for ‘standing up for open discourse’ 

‘I don’t know what exactly you ‘abhor’ about my views, but we can all agree that free speech, Christ, and America First should be the pillars of our movement.’

‘Thank you for your courage in standing up for open discourse and defending Tucker against the Israel First Woke Right,’ Fuentes concluded.