Karl Rove, a veteran Republican strategist and former adviser to George W. Bush, said he will vote for a Democrat in the Texas Railroad Commission race, accusing the GOP of being "infiltrated" by conspiracy theorists and bigots. He singled out Republican Bo French for posting what Rove described as racist and misogynistic content, including a tweet asking "What's worse for America? Jews or Muslims?" President Trump called Rove a "stone cold loser" in response. Rove urged the party to purge extremist voices to preserve its future viability.
Karl Rove Says He'll Vote Democrat, Accuses GOP of Being 'Infiltrated' by Conspiracy Theorists and Bigots
Karl Rove said the GOP needs to "get rid of" bigots and "conspiracy nuts." Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Republican strategist Karl Rove announced he will vote for a Democrat in the Texas Railroad Commission race, saying the GOP has been "infiltrated" by conspiracy theorists and bigots. A longtime adviser to President George W. Bush and a lead architect of the 2000 and 2004 campaigns, Rove delivered a stinging rebuke of his party in a Wall Street Journal op-ed and remarks at the 2026 Atlantic Festival in New York City.
Rove said he decided to oppose Republican candidate Bo French after reviewing social posts he described as racist and misogynistic. He noted an image French posted of non‑white University of Texas football fans and cited a tweet the candidate allegedly shared asking, "What's worse for America? Jews or Muslims?" Rove also quoted French as saying, "The most angry people in the world are white, educated women."
"The problem is, my party is infiltrated by these people," Rove said, criticizing what he called "conspiracy nuts" and those who promote a version of "masculinity" that suggests women shouldn't vote.
President Donald Trump responded on social media, calling Rove a "stone cold loser." Rove joked at the Atlantic Festival that he might make hats reading "Stone Cold" in response. Despite his own conservative record—including his defense of the 2003 Iraq invasion—Rove argued that letting extremist voices define the GOP will harm the party's future.
What Rove Is Calling For
Rove urged Republicans to remove candidates and activists who traffic in bigotry and baseless conspiracies. "We've faced this problem before," he said, and added that the party must act to restore credibility and mainstream appeal.
This development highlights growing fissures within the Republican Party over ideology and candidate conduct, and it adds another flashpoint to the broader national conversation about extremism, rhetoric and electability ahead of upcoming elections.
Help us improve.
