The Heritage Foundation’s Leadership Faces Crisis After Defending Controversial Figure

By Newsmax Wires | Monday, 03 November 2025 10:53 PM EST

The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank in Washington, has faced internal turmoil after its president, Kevin Roberts, publicly supported Tucker Carlson following the former Fox News host’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. The New York Post reported that Roberts’ defense of Carlson sparked widespread dissent among staff and board members, leading to resignations and demands for his removal.

Internal communications reviewed by the Post revealed senior Heritage employees expressed embarrassment and outrage over Roberts’ response to Carlson’s two-hour conversation with Fuentes, who has denied the Holocaust and praised authoritarian leaders. One employee stated, “This is the most embarrassed I’ve ever been to be a Heritage employee,” while another called Roberts’ defense “ridiculous” and questioned how such a statement could originate from a leading conservative institution.

The controversy erupted after Carlson’s interview with Fuentes, which garnered over 17 million views on X. In the discussion, Fuentes praised Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, criticized “organized Jewry,” and dismissed Christian support for Israel. Carlson accused American Christians backing Israel of being “heretics” suffering from a “brain virus.”

Three days later, Roberts released a video defending Carlson as a “close friend of the Heritage Foundation,” condemning efforts to “cancel our own people” and calling the backlash against Carlson “venomous.” His statement, viewed over 23 million times, drew sharp criticism from staff, with one writing, “If we are labeled on the same side as Nick Fuentes, then we deserve to lose,” and another accusing Roberts of “playing footsie with literal Nazis.”

The fallout has already led to changes within the organization. Roberts’ chief of staff, Ryan Neuhaus, was reassigned and later resigned, while David Bernstein, a Jewish scholar involved in Heritage’s anti-antisemitism initiatives, left the foundation. Bernstein criticized Roberts for framing critics as part of a “venomous coalition,” arguing that the emphasis on “no enemies to the right” risks normalizing extremism.

Donor support has also declined, with evangelical and Jewish donors reportedly withdrawing funds. References to Heritage’s sponsorship of “The Tucker Carlson Network” have been removed from its donations page. Prominent board member Robert P. George, a conservative scholar, has urged trustees to reconsider Roberts’ leadership, citing concerns over the promotion of white supremacy and antisemitism.

Despite the backlash, Heritage officials stated that Roberts retains board support. Roberts later clarified his stance, asserting he opposed Fuentes’ “vicious antisemitic ideology” but argued for nuance in free speech debates. The think tank is set to hold a staff meeting where Roberts will address the crisis directly.

The controversy highlights deepening divisions within conservative circles, with Senator Ted Cruz warning of rising antisemitism on the right.