Overt hatred of Jews is now being mainstreamed from both the left and the right. A dangerous spike in right-wing antisemitism, which was once confined to fringe corners of the internet, has now entered everyday conservative dialogue.
Prominent leaders in media, politics and public policy promote narratives that question Judaism as a religion, portray Jews as outside the mainstream and often delegitimize Israel. In many cases, the voices of key elected officials have failed to confront or correct these messages, allowing toxic narratives and blood libels to proliferate.
“An old poison spreads through the new right. What once lurked on the margins now claims the center,” stated William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
On the right: Emerging themes in conservative media and politics
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, an influential conservative media firebrand, has raised devious theological and historical claims about Jews and Judaism, casting Jewish identity as foreign or incompatible with American values and mirroring themes commonly associated with white Christian nationalist ideology. These arguments frequently overlap with those of commentator Nick Fuentes, an openly extremist, anti-Israel figure who frames America as fundamentally Christian and portrays Jews as outside of that national identity.
Carlson’s recent interview with Fuentes prompted criticism from conservative leaders, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and conservative influencer Ben Shapiro, who questioned the decision to offer Fuentes a platform. U.S. President Donald Trump commented briefly on the Carlson-Fuentes controversy, defending Carlson, saying the political commentator has “said good things about me over the years,” but leaving judgment up to the people about the Carlson interview.
Trump has made it clear he is “not gonna condemn Nazis, and he’s not going to condemn those who platform them,” CNN host Jake Tapper said.
Vice President JD Vance’s recent remarks at a Turning Point USA event drew criticism from an influential Christian Zionist leader, Laurie Cardoza-Moore, who argued that he allowed audience questions containing what she viewed as antisemitic undertones to go unaddressed. Cardoza-Moore recently stepped down from her role at the Heritage Foundation following disagreements over the organization’s continued association with Carlson.
Some conservative leaders have publicly pushed back. Cruz, for example, criticized fellow Republicans for not speaking out more forcefully, and internal dissent at the Heritage Foundation, including staff objections and resignations, has intensified discussion within the organization.
“If you sit there with someone who says Adolf Hitler was very, very cool, and that their mission is to combat and defeat global Jewry, and you say nothing, then you are a coward and you are complicit in that evil,” said Cruz at the Republican Jewish Coalition convention on Oct. 30.
On the left: Delegitimization framed as political critique
Left-wing antisemitism often focuses on political delegitimization, treating Jewish identity and Israel as indistinguishable and framing Zionism as inherently oppressive. This trend dramatically accelerated after the Hamas-led massacre in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
This allows hostility toward Jewish self-determination to be presented as political critiques, even when the language echoes longstanding narratives. It also tends to single out Israel for disproportionate scrutiny, implying collective responsibility on the part of Jews worldwide. These dynamics are visible in actions by figures such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who recently introduced a resolution that would recognize the false claim of the genocide in Gaza.
Reactions to the New York City mayoral election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani have exposed deep fault lines within Jewish communities. Many leaders express concern that his longstanding support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and sharply critical stance toward Israel could further normalize more aggressive anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric in mainstream politics.
Recent attacks on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro have focused not on his qualifications or record, but on his Jewish identity, framing his faith as a disqualifying trait for public leadership. He has been labeled a “hardcore Zionist” because of his pro-Israel views. A Jewish Community Relations Council leader in Minnesota said, “When a Jewish elected official holds those same mainstream pro-Zionist positions as non-Jewish candidates, he becomes for the left the wrong kind of Jew who must be ostracized from the party and disqualified from holding national office.”
This form of political delegitimization stands in sharp contrast to the growing diplomatic openness emerging across parts of the Middle East, including the recent expansion of the 2020 Abraham Accords with Kazakhstan and renewed dialogue with Syria, and potentially, even Saudi Arabia. These developments highlight that while some political actors harden anti-Israel rhetoric, a broader regional trend seems to be moving toward engagement, normalization and cooperation with the Jewish state.
Points to consider:
1. Extremists win when leaders stay silent.
Antisemitic narratives gain traction when influential leaders fail to challenge them. Even passive signals such as silence, proximity to extremist voices or indirect defense of controversial figures—communicate that these ideas fall within acceptable political boundaries. The silence becomes validation and widens the space for antisemitic narratives to perpetuate—allowing rhetoric that once lived on the fringes to enter mainstream conversation.
2. Big platforms turn marginal voices into megaphones.
The rise of high-profile media personalities with massive followings has dramatically accelerated the spread of antisemitic themes. Figures like Carlson and Nick Fuentes provide the ideological framework, while elected officials and influential commentators normalize it through repetition or permissive engagement. As these ideas gain visibility and legitimacy, Jewish individuals and values become prime targets in everyday political combat.
3. Converging narratives are pushing Jews out of the civic mainstream.
Although antisemitism manifests differently across the political spectrum, both tolerate silence and create the same harmful outcome: treating Jews as outside the civic or moral mainstream. Claims that the religion or culture conflicts with American identity and narratives implying collective Jewish responsibility for global events are dangerous for democracy. Confronting these narratives is essential to ensuring Jewish Americans remain fully included in public life.
