Conservative Rift Explodes at TPUSA as Bannon, Kelly Turn on Shapiro

PHOENIX — A widening rupture within the conservative movement erupted into public view at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest this week, as prominent right-wing figures openly clashed over ideology, rhetoric and leadership, with commentator Ben Shapiro at the center of the dispute.

The confrontation escalated Friday night when former White House strategist Steve Bannon directly attacked Shapiro by name during a speech to thousands of young activists. Bannon accused Shapiro of seeking influence over conservative institutions and portrayed him as a destabilizing force within the movement, framing the conflict as a struggle for control and ideological direction.

Bannon’s remarks quickly reverberated across conservative media, drawing criticism from Jewish leaders and commentators who said the language echoed long-standing antisemitic tropes and crossed from political disagreement into personal vilification. Several warned that such rhetoric risks normalizing attacks that go beyond policy or strategy.

Steve Bannon unloads on Ben Shapiro, calling him a lifelong Never Trumper.

Bannon says Shapiro opposed Donald Trump in 2016, jumped ship after Trump left office in 2020, and consistently puts “Israel First” ahead of America's interests. pic.twitter.com/MibJvMGbNS

— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) December 20, 2025

The tensions were already high following Shapiro’s own appearances at Turning Point USA events earlier in the week. In one address, Shapiro strongly criticized Tucker Carlson for platforming white nationalist Nick Fuentes, arguing that elevating extremist figures undermines conservatism’s moral standing and damages its political credibility. Shapiro has said movements unwilling to draw firm lines against extremism risk losing both ethical grounding and electoral viability.

The dispute deepened further when media personality Megyn Kelly addressed the AmericaFest crowd and publicly said she no longer considers Shapiro a friend. Kelly criticized Shapiro’s decision to air internal conservative disagreements at a high-profile forum, saying the episode reflected a broader breakdown of trust and cohesion within the movement. She did not, however, endorse Bannon’s rhetoric or personal attacks.

TPUSA AMERICA FEST 2025 – Megyn Kelly and Jack Posobiec – Entire Discussion@TPUSA @MegynKelly @JackPosobiec pic.twitter.com/84h4XzGv6F

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) December 21, 2025

Turning Point USA officials sought to distance the organization from the escalating feud, emphasizing that AmericaFest was intended to showcase a broad range of conservative viewpoints and encourage open debate among young activists. The group said it does not take sides in disputes between speakers, even as disagreements became highly personal and public.

Political analysts say the episode highlights a deeper struggle within American conservatism, pitting policy-oriented and institutional voices against populist figures who command large, loyal audiences through confrontation and cultural grievance. As the movement heads into a pivotal political period, those internal divisions are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

As AmericaFest continued into the weekend, the fallout from the competing speeches and public breaks showed little sign of easing, underscoring how raw and unresolved the fault lines within the conservative movement have become.