The annual AmericaFest convention organised by Turning Point USA (TPUSA) transformed from a celebration of conservative unity into a public stage for bitter internal feuds. The four-day event, held recently, laid bare significant fractures within the right-wing media landscape and the broader MAGA-supporting base.
A Stage Set for Slander
The convention was led by Erika Kirk, who stepped into the role following the tragic assassination of her husband, the prominent conservative speaker Charlie Kirk. She described the charged atmosphere, saying it felt like a family Thanksgiving where heated debates over the family business are unavoidable. The event quickly descended into a series of personal and ideological attacks.
Right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro set the confrontational tone shortly after the opening remarks. In his speech, he launched sharp criticisms against several fellow media figures. He accused commentator Candace Owens of spreading what he called conspiratorial nonsense for years. Shapiro also targeted former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, labelling her guilty of cowardice for not condemning Owens's theories related to Charlie Kirk's death. Furthermore, he criticised Tucker Carlson for hosting controversial figure Nick Fuentes on his podcast, calling it an act of moral failure.
Swift and Public Retaliation
The responses were swift and public. Tucker Carlson fired back within an hour, mocking Shapiro's approach of trying to silence those with different viewpoints. Carlson stated he watched Shapiro's comments and simply laughed at them. The media feud expanded as other heavyweights joined the fray.
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon delivered a blistering attack, comparing Shapiro to a spreading cancer within the movement. Megyn Kelly dismissed Shapiro as a marginal figure and declared their friendship over, resenting his perceived authority to dictate what others should say. Although not present at the event, Candace Owens retaliated on her podcast, branding Shapiro a miserable imp.
Ideological Divides and Future Ambitions
Beyond personal attacks, substantive policy divisions also surfaced, particularly regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Tucker Carlson criticised the civilian death toll in Gaza, while Steve Bannon accused Shapiro and other pro-Israel voices of prioritising Israel over American interests. Megyn Kelly suggested that much of the criticism from figures like Shapiro and journalist Bari Weiss is fundamentally rooted in the issue of Israel.
Amidst the internal chaos, Turning Point USA sought to reaffirm its core political mission. Erika Kirk made a significant pledge, vowing the organisation's full support to get Vice President JD Vance elected as President in 2028. She expressed a determined commitment to secure a resounding victory for her late husband's friend. The convention also highlighted the growing Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.
The public infighting at AmericaFest signals a turbulent period for the American conservative movement, revealing deep-seated disagreements on personality, strategy, and foreign policy that extend far beyond the convention stage.
