Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly sharply criticized Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss on Monday, arguing that their aggressive efforts to police debate about Israel are backfiring and actually driving the rise of anti-Semitism they claim to oppose.
In an interview with Vanity Fair Washington correspondent Aidan McLaughlin, Kelly said the political landscape is shifting, particularly among younger Republicans, and warned that heavy-handed attempts to shut down criticism of Israel are accelerating that shift rather than stopping it.
Kelly acknowledged that attitudes are changing. “The country is turning,” she said, adding that “young Republicans are turning on Israel.” But she placed the blame not on figures who raise questions or dissent, but on prominent voices demanding ideological conformity.
According to McLaughlin, Kelly argued that Shapiro and Weiss are “making anti-Semites” through what she sees as censorship and moral coercion. “They are making antisemites,” Kelly said bluntly. “Tucker is not making antisemites. They are,” she added, referring to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Kelly compared Shapiro’s public demand that conservatives denounce Candace Owens and others who criticize Israel to the kind of purity tests and virtue signaling long associated with the progressive left. She said conservatives should recognize the tactic and reject it.
“I never posted the black square and I never raised my fist at a restaurant,” Kelly said, referencing the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. “And I’m certainly not going to condemn the people Ben Shapiro demands I condemn in order to be in his imaginary club.” She dismissed the pressure campaign in blunt terms, mocking the calls to “denounce, denounce, condemn, disassociate.”
Kelly also accused Shapiro of prioritizing Israel over the unity of the American conservative movement. She said his recent attacks felt deeply personal, especially given their past relationship. “It felt like a betrayal by a friend,” she said.
“Ben is Israel first,” Kelly said. “And I’m sorry, but his behavior has proven that charge to be correct.” She questioned why Shapiro would choose to fracture the conservative coalition at a moment when it appeared to be growing more cohesive following the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. “Why would you divide the American conservative movement—which was gelling, which was becoming much more cohesive for a moment after Charlie died—over Israel!” she asked.
The clash traces back to Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where Shapiro delivered a speech attacking several prominent conservatives, including Kelly, Carlson, and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, all of whom were also speakers at the event. Shapiro singled out Kelly despite referring to her as a friend, accusing her of “moral and logical absurdity” and “cowardice” for refusing to sufficiently disavow Owens.
Shapiro’s confrontational remarks were applauded by Bari Weiss, who posted the comment, “Only Cowards Tolerate Conspiracy Theorists.” Kelly fired back, accusing Weiss of engaging in the same behavior she condemns.
“Only cowards take to the national stage or X to attack their ‘friends’ without so much as a phone call to discuss it,” Kelly responded. She added that Weiss failed to tag her directly, claiming it was because Weiss was afraid.
Kelly’s comments underscore a widening rift on the right over Israel, free speech, and the future of the conservative movement, with Kelly warning that attempts to enforce ideological uniformity may end up producing exactly the resentment and backlash their advocates claim to fear most.
[READ MORE: Trump Administration Orders Recall of Career Ambassadors to Enforce America First Agenda]
