Shapiro Slams Carlson as MAGA Rift Explodes Onstage
Erika Kirk speaking at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, December 18, 2025. Photo courtesy of Xuthoria under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix was anything but a quiet tribute. Instead of uniting around the memory of Charlie Kirk, the conservative movement's charismatic founder who was assassinated in September, the event quickly turned into a public showdown. Sharp words flew between some of the movement's most prominent voices, exposing deep divisions that threaten to reshape the future of the MAGA coalition.
Shapiro and Carlson Clash on Stage
Ben Shapiro, co-founder of The Daily Wire, wasted no time taking aim at fellow conservatives. He labeled Tucker Carlson and others as charlatans and grifters who peddle conspiracy theories and falsehoods, according to AP News. Shapiro's most pointed criticism targeted Carlson's decision to host white nationalist Nick Fuentes on his podcast, calling it "an act of moral imbecility" and reminding the crowd that Charlie Kirk himself despised Fuentes.
Carlson responded with a mocking tone, ridiculing Shapiro's calls to "deplatform and denounce" dissenters, as reported by Fox News. "I watched it. I laughed," Carlson said, downplaying the infighting as manufactured drama. He denied accusations of antisemitism, stating that "it is immoral to hate people for how they were born," and dismissed the idea of a civil war within the Trump coalition as "totally fake."
Megyn Kelly Joins the Fray
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly also took the stage to criticize Shapiro for acting as a gatekeeper of the movement, accusing him of deciding "who must say what to whom and when," as reported by Fox News. Kelly recounted a recent public mix-up involving Shapiro and Carlson, emphasizing that her disagreement was with Carlson's exclusion from the conservative fold, not with Shapiro's stance on Israel.
Erika Kirk Seeks to Heal Divisions
Turning Point USA's new leader, Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, sought to steer the event back toward unity. She acknowledged the fractures and "bridges being burned that shouldn't be burnt" since her husband's assassination, as reported by AP News. Erika described the conservative movement's current state as "fight mode," as reported by Fox News, reflecting a refusal to retreat despite internal strife.
Nicki Minaj's Awkward Onstage Moment
The conference also became a stage for a surprising celebrity moment. Rapper Nicki Minaj appeared alongside Erika Kirk during the event's closing session. Minaj praised President Donald Trump as "handsome" and referred to Vice President JD Vance as "the assassin," as reported by PEOPLE, a comment that caused an awkward silence and visible shock from Erika Kirk. Erika responded with grace, telling Minaj that she had heard worse and emphasizing the need to find humor amid tragedy. Minaj later expressed her affection for Erika Kirk, saying "I love you" after the gaffe.
Ideological Battles Overshadow Tribute
The Minaj moment, while drawing headlines, underscored the broader challenges facing the conservative coalition. The event was meant to honor Charlie Kirk's legacy, including plans to install a statue of him in the U.S. Capitol, but instead highlighted the ideological battles shaping the party's future. Some attendees, like Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, argued that airing disputes now was preferable to postponing them until election season. "I think this is part of coalitional politics," Kolvet said, suggesting that the infighting was a necessary step toward defining the party's core message, as reported by NewsNationNow.
Yet, not all agreed. Some younger conservatives expressed frustration with the discord, viewing it as harmful rather than helpful. Erika Kirk likened the event to a "Thanksgiving dinner where your family's hashing out the family business," as reported by NewsNationNow, capturing the uneasy mix of loyalty and conflict permeating the gathering.
Foreign Policy and Israel Divide Conservatives
The conference also brought to light a growing rift over foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and the Gaza conflict. Shapiro's critiques of figures like Candace Owens and Carlson reflected a divide over whether unwavering support for Israel aligns with Trump's "America First" agenda. Owens, who has spread alleged conspiracy theories about Kirk's assassination, doubled down on claims that Israel was involved, accusing Shapiro of prioritizing Israel's interests over the conservative movement's unity. Erika Kirk condemned these alleged conspiracy theories and called for them to stop, saying simply "Stop" when asked about Owens' claims, as reported by AP News.
Thousands Attend Amid Political Tensions
Despite the chaos, the event drew thousands of attendees, including political figures like Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who pledged to work on erecting a statue honoring Charlie Kirk. The conference featured a mix of political organizing, religious discussions, and cultural critiques, with appearances by Christian rock bands and pastors, as well as recruiters for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol.
The atmosphere was a blend of patriotic fervor and political tension. Many attendees wore "Make America Great Again" hats and posed for selfies in front of signs proclaiming "we are all Charlie Kirk." For some, like a young attendee from South Dakota, attending was a matter of obligation, a chance to be part of a movement in flux, AP News reports.
A Movement at a Crossroads
As AmericaFest wrapped up, the conservative movement faces a crossroads. The public clashes between Shapiro and Carlson, the Minaj gaffe, and the ongoing debates over leadership and ideology reveal a coalition wrestling with its identity. Whether these fractures will heal or deepen remains to be seen, but the event made clear that the future of the MAGA movement will be contested fiercely on and off the stage.
References: Conservatives clash over MAGA at Turning Point conference | Republican infighting takes stage at Turning Point's AmericaFest | Deepening MAGA rift comes to a head at TPUSA's AmericaFest 2025 | Nicki Minaj Calls JD Vance 'the Assassin' Onstage with Charlie Kirk's Widow Erika
