Author Warns of Emerging Right-Wing Radicalization Driven by Grievance Politics

NEW YORK — Author and cultural commentator James Lindsay warned that a new strain of right-wing radicalization is taking shape around prominent media figures, arguing that grievance-driven ideology and moral absolutism pose growing risks to Jewish communities and democratic norms.

Speaking on The Viktor Frankl Podcast in a discussion with Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch and attorney Lori Fein, Lindsay said what he describes as the “woke right” reflects the same psychological patterns that previously fueled extremist movements on the political left.

Lindsay said “wokeness” should be understood not as a policy agenda but as a moral framework centered on grievance, identity and power. While that framework first gained traction among progressives, he said it has increasingly migrated across ideological lines, resurfacing on the right through rhetoric that divides society into morally pure insiders and irredeemable enemies.

He cited the growing influence of figures such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and white nationalist activist Nick Fuentes as examples of how grievance-based narratives can gain mainstream reach online.

Lindsay said such movements often radicalize rapidly in digital spaces where outrage is amplified and distrust of institutions is encouraged. He warned that this environment can foster dynamics resembling cult behavior rather than democratic debate.

For Jewish audiences, Lindsay said antisemitism frequently emerges as an early indicator of broader extremism. Conspiracy theories alleging hidden power or moral corruption, he said, have historically targeted Jews before being used to justify wider repression.

“Antisemitism is never the endpoint,” Lindsay said. “It’s the warning sign.”

Fein said the legal consequences of these patterns often appear once groups are labeled as inherently dangerous or illegitimate, leading to erosion of civil protections. Lindsay added that the normalization of dehumanizing language lowers the barrier to political violence.

He argued that countering extremism requires moral consistency, particularly within conservative circles, including rejecting conspiracy theories and antisemitism even when they are aimed at perceived adversaries.

“If moral limits disappear,” Lindsay said, “extremism doesn’t end — it multiplies.”

Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, LMFT, is a New York–based psychotherapist, author, and host of The Viktor Frankl Podcast, a rapidly growing platform exploring psychology, culture, faith, and current events through the lens of Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy. He is the author of five books, including Viktor Frankl and the Psychology of the Soul, and is the founder of the Torah Psychology School of Coaching and Counseling. His work focuses on helping individuals find meaning, build emotional resilience, and navigate complex social and political dynamics with clarity and compassion. You can follow him at rabbiforamerica.com.