Heritage Foundation President Faces Internal Rebellion Over Controversial Stance on Tucker Carlson

By Mark Swanson | Thursday, 06 November 2025 06:19 AM EST

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts faced intense criticism from staff and fellows during an internal meeting Wednesday, with some demanding his resignation over his defense of Tucker Carlson’s ties to antisemitic figures.

A video of the two-hour private session, released by the Washington Free Beacon on YouTube, revealed sharp disagreements within the conservative think tank. One staff member accused Roberts of letting the organization “bleed” under his leadership, citing frustration over Heritage’s silence on Carlson’s associations. “We still do not have a statement about that,” the individual said, referencing Carlson’s platforming of radical white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.

Roberts apologized during the meeting but avoided directly condemning Carlson or his antisemitic remarks. Instead, he blamed his former chief of staff, Ryan Neuhaus, for drafting a script he failed to properly review. Despite the backlash, Roberts did not retract his support for Carlson or Heritage’s sponsorship of his podcast, which frequently features antisemitic and conspiracy-laden content.

The controversy began after Roberts defended Carlson’s interview with Fuentes in a video posted on October 30, calling Carlson a “courageous truth-teller” and dismissing criticism as a “venomous coalition” targeting conservatives. He later reiterated his stance, claiming he did not endorse everything Carlson said but insisted on protecting “friends” within the movement.

Staff members challenged Roberts’ rationale, with fellow Robert Rector questioning why Heritage allowed Carlson to host Fuentes, who has praised Hitler. Legal scholar Amy Swearer called Roberts’ apology a “weak response,” accusing him of enabling “the most unhinged dregs of the far right.” Several Jewish staff members condemned the damage to Heritage’s reputation, warning that public distancing from Carlson was necessary to rebuild trust.

The fallout has already led prominent Jewish organizations to withdraw from Heritage’s Antisemitism Task Force, with some threatening to sever ties entirely. Despite the criticism, Roberts maintained his position, citing a “moral obligation” to repair the “mess” while claiming board support.