The Hill | November 7, 2025
By Dominick Mastrangelo
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Conservative media pundits Ben Shapiro and Megyn Kelly sparred this week over an interview Tucker Carlson conducted with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, as well as other commentary Carlson has made on his online podcast.
“If I see somebody breach basic moral values by having on a Nazi, in my own view, gloss the Nazi, then I’m going to speak out about that,” Shapiro told Kelly during a live event. “I’m going to point out that there is a long pattern of him ideologically laundering terrible ideas over the course of the last two years, ranging from traveling to Russia to sniff the bread and explain why the Russian regime is actually wonderful, to saying last week the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro is actually not that bad,” he added, in comments highlighted by Mediaite.
Kelly responded by saying she wasn’t interested in being Carlson’s “defender” but noted Maduro is “culturally conservative.”
“Who gives a s‑‑‑?” Shapiro shot back. “I don’t give a s‑‑‑ whether he’s anti-LGBTQ rights. This is the No. 1 thing about Nicolás Maduro? You know how far down the list you have to get before you can get to anything remotely recommendable about Nicolás Maduro?”
Shapiro has been sharply critical of Carlson following his interview with Fuentes, who has a history of making antisemitic, sexist, and other offensive comments. The episode sparked widespread condemnation, primarily among members of the conservative right.
Carlson responded to the criticism his interview had earned during the same event, telling Kelly, “I don’t need to prove that I am a good person to you.”
Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, initially defended Carlson over the interview. However, following backlash, Roberts apologized for his comments and condemned Fuentes.
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*Excerpt*
Read more at thehill.com
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**Topics:** Issues
**Keywords:** Ben Shapiro, Carlson, Daily Wire, Kelly, Megyn Kelly, Shapiro, Tucker Carlson
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