The heart of the American right is on the line

The question conservative leaders now confront is straightforward enough: Where do we go from here?

- JOSH HAMMER

DONALD TRUMP JR. speaks at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference on Dec. 21.

YEARS OF bickering over the meaning of American conservatism and the identity of the American right, which had already escalated in the conspiracy-filled aftermath of coalition linchpin Charlie Kirk’s horrific assassination, reached a fever pitch at Turning Point USA's recent AmericaFest conference in Phoenix. The question conservative leaders now confront is straightforward enough: Where do we go from here?

It is imperative — indeed, indispensable — that leaders answer this question correctly and act accordingly.

The conference began, following introductory remarks from Kirk’s widow, Erika, with a tour de force speech from Ben Shapiro. The longtime podcaster, columnist and author condemned the right’s “frauds and grifters,” those “charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty” and those useful idiots who have refused to take any stand whatsoever amid the explosion of conspiracism because of rank “cowardice.” A number of subsequent speakers, from charlatans like Tucker Carlson to cowards like Megyn Kelly, attempted — in defensive, ham-fisted fashion —to respond to Shapiro’s tone-setting invocation.