Conservative Commentator Slams Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and MTG at CPAC, Labels Faction the "R*tard Right"

Conservative commentator Josh Hammer delivered a fiery address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, sharply criticizing several high-profile conservative media figures and personalities — most notably Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — grouping them under what he called the so‑called "r*tard right."

Hammer began by distinguishing his critique from his support for President Donald Trump and the administration, saying the issues he described were largely outside the White House and rooted in the conservative influencer ecosystem he dubbed "Podcastistan." He praised some movement figures while arguing that a subset of commentators and podcasters are doing active harm to the MAGA project.

Core Argument: A Movement Undermined From Within

Hammer framed his argument around the slogan "Make America Great Again," which he said contains three claims: that America was once great, that it has become less great, and that it can be made great again. He accused the faction he labeled the "r*tard right" of rejecting those premises and of being, in his words, "explicitly anti‑MAGA" and "anti‑American."

"These black‑pilling doomsdayers are engaged in a conscientious brain‑rot operation to make the right retreat from its convictions," Hammer said, according to excerpts of his speech.

Targets and Examples

Hammer singled out Tucker Carlson for criticism, accusing him of giving a platform to guests with pro‑Beijing views and of praising or sympathizing with authoritarian regimes. He cited Carlson’s choice to host Jiang Xueqin — described by Hammer as a Chinese Communist Party–linked commentator — and characterized the discussion as promoting a form of global realignment that places the U.S. alongside China, Russia and Iran as "equal partners."

He also took aim at Megyn Kelly, accusing her of prioritizing clicks over principle by booking contentious guests and by expressing skepticism about the U.S. role in recent Middle East events. Hammer criticized Kelly’s on‑air comments that framed the conflict as "clearly Israel’s war," saying those remarks were out of step with what he described as President Trump’s long record of hardline positions toward Iran.

Regarding Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Hammer accused her of associations and statements he regards as radical and unhelpful to the conservative cause. He argued these figures — along with other commentators such as Candace Owens, in his view — are undermining the MAGA coalition rather than strengthening it.

Accusations and Rhetoric

Hammer used strong language throughout his speech, calling the faction’s outlook "stupid," "evil," and "flaming, stinking garbage." He likened some of their ideas to those of foreign ideologues he views as hostile to American interests and warned that the group’s influence helps advance America's adversaries abroad.

He also referenced a poll — attributed to J.L. Partners — which he said shows Republicans trust Donald Trump far more than Tucker Carlson or Megyn Kelly (an 83% to 6% margin, per the citation he presented). He used that data to argue that the movement’s grassroots support remains firmly behind Trump.

Call To Action

Hammer's closing message to CPAC and the conservative movement was emphatic: reject the faction he described and recommit to a conservative platform he believes defends American strength and Western values. He framed this as essential to the future of the movement and, he said, the country.

Hammer is a frequent presence in conservative media circles and has publicly clashed with some of the figures he named. He also referenced a separate controversy involving Buckley Carlson (Tucker Carlson’s son) and remarks aired on The Charlie Kirk Show; Hammer framed these disputes as symptomatic of broader tensions within the movement.

Reported excerpts of Hammer’s speech were originally published on Mediaite.