Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix exposed sharp divisions within the conservative movement as prominent figures publicly clashed over leadership and who should be given a platform. Ben Shapiro attacked Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon and others for promoting conspiratorial rhetoric, and the debate over Carlson's interview with Nick Fuentes intensified tensions. Vice President JD Vance closed the event with an appeal for unity, leaving some attendees cautiously optimistic but many warning that infighting could sap the movement's momentum.
Vance Urges Unity as AmericaFest Exposes Deep Rifts in Conservative Movement
Vice President JD Vance speaks on the final day of Turning Point USA's annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix on Dec. 21, 2025. / Credit: Caylo Seals / Getty Images
Correction: Earlier versions of this article included an unverified claim about Charlie Kirk. There are no confirmed reports that Kirk was assassinated. This piece focuses on the divisions and leadership questions that surfaced at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest.
Turning Point USA's annual AmericaFest in Phoenix laid bare deepening divisions within the conservative movement as prominent voices openly clashed over direction, leadership and which figures deserve a platform.
Public Feuds on Stage
Across the four-day conference, high-profile speakers publicly criticized one another. Podcaster and conservative commentator Ben Shapiro singled out Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon and Megyn Kelly by name, accusing them of being "frauds and grifters" and of promoting far-right conspiracy theories.
"The conservative movement is in danger from charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty," Shapiro said, adding that Bannon had acted as "a PR flack for Jeffrey Epstein."
A major fault line was the debate over Tucker Carlson's decision to interview far-right influencer Nick Fuentes, who has been widely condemned for antisemitic and white‑supremacist views. Many attendees and speakers argued that amplifying Fuentes harms the movement, while others defended Carlson's choice on free‑speech grounds.
Caustic Exchanges and Alarming Rhetoric
Steve Bannon responded sharply to Shapiro, calling him "like a cancer" on the conservative movement and predicting Shapiro would make a move on Turning Point. Such blunt exchanges underscored how personal animosities have intensified broader policy and image battles.
Young Conservatives React
For many young attendees, the absence of a unifying figure made the tensions more visible. Deacon Jones, a 19‑year‑old Turning Point member from Tennessee, said the conference "felt noticeably different" and that people were uncertain who to trust as leaders going forward.
Lucas Beaver, a 19‑year‑old chapter president from North Carolina, told CBS News he believed Fuentes was "trying to grab the attention" of young conservatives by softening his public image. Others warned the infighting risks diverting energy from policy goals.
Vance's Closing Appeal
Vice President JD Vance delivered the final address and attempted to calm tensions, urging attendees to focus on shared priorities rather than internal disputes. "We have far more important work to do than canceling each other," Vance said, calling for unity and common purpose.
Andrew Kolvet, a Turning Point spokesman, said no single figure could instantly heal the movement's divisions and described the path forward as a "team effort." Some attendees, like Florida student Nick Perisse, left "carefully enthusiastic" after Vance's speech, while others remained concerned that factionalism could undermine momentum from 2024.
Takeaway
AmericaFest drew more than 25,000 attendees and featured speakers such as Vice President Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson and a surprise appearance by Nicki Minaj, with President Trump calling in. The conference highlighted both the movement's influence and the unresolved tensions that may shape its future.
