MAGA’s Civil War: Infighting, Conspiracy, and Chaos Grip the Right
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The fractures within the conservative movement are no longer subtle. From explosive accusations and public feuds to whispered betrayals and outright resignations, the world of MAGA is consumed by a relentless cycle of infighting, even as its political power expands.
Recent, undisclosed negotiations between Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk and Candace Owens—described by one participant as yielding results that were “fake and gay”—highlight the depth of the discord. The talks centered on Owens’ increasingly virulent conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Kirk’s husband, Charlie Kirk, the founder of TPUSA. Owens has alleged that Charlie Kirk’s assassination was orchestrated by the Israeli state, with potential involvement from Egypt and France, and even suggested a connection to the JFK assassination. She further accused leadership within Turning Point USA of betraying her late friend, tweeting last week that she “now can say with full confidence” that Charlie Kirk was betrayed by those who eulogized him.
This escalating conflict has positioned Owens at the center of a broader war within right-wing media. Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool, despite rarely dissenting from extremist viewpoints, publicly condemned Owens, labeling her a “fucking evil scumbag” and a “degenerate cunt.” While Kirk described a four-hour meeting with Owens as “very productive,” and even involved legal counsel to explain the investigation into her husband’s death, Owens dismissed a police affidavit as “fake and gay.”
However, the Owens-Kirk dispute is merely one thread in a larger tapestry of conflict. As one far-right British political activist told Axios, the situation has devolved into a “cacophony of grifters.” The Trump coalition, entering its first year back in power, appears more divided than ever, plagued by constant sniping and open brawls.
The infighting extends to the highest levels of the movement. At Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest gathering, speakers Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro engaged in pointed exchanges, both onstage and off. Shapiro directly criticized Carlson for interviewing Nick Fuentes, describing him as a “Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving, anti-American piece of refuse.” This exchange underscored the ongoing debate within the right regarding the acceptable boundaries of antisemitism.
Further turmoil erupted following the publication of an explosive Vanity Fair article detailing candid remarks from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. In eleven interviews with reporter Chris Whipple, Wiles characterized Vice President JD Vance as “a conspiracy theorist,” criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files, and even suggested that Donald Trump has “an alcoholic’s personality”—a claim the former president subsequently agreed with in a statement to the New York Post. Wiles has dismissed the article as a “hit piece,” while the White House publicly defended her, despite reportedly being caught off guard by the story’s release.
The enforcement of loyalty within the Trump administration has been spearheaded by Laura Loomer, whose relentless pursuit of perceived dissenters has led to numerous firings and exiles. In Washington, to be “Loomered” now signifies not just termination, but complete ostracization from both the government and the movement. Loomer recently celebrated the withdrawal of a White House nominee for deputy NSA director, exulting, “Another LOOMERED SCALP!”
Even the relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has fractured, with the status of their former “bromance” remaining uncertain, though Musk did recently attend a White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The U.S. government’s continued relationship with bin Salman, despite his reported approval of the brutal execution of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, demonstrates a selective approach to conflict.
Meanwhile, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announced her resignation after Trump labeled her a “traitor” and a “lunatic” for objecting to the administration’s handling of the Epstein files, stating that “loyalty should be a two-way street.” Similarly, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is stepping down to return to right-wing media, where he can resume attacking the “Deep State.” Bongino and his boss, Kash Patel, also clashed with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) over accusations of targeting an FBI whistleblower investigating the January 5th pipe bomb incident. Massie has publicly questioned the FBI’s handling of the case, even sharing a retracted story accusing a Capitol Police officer of being the bomber.
The death of Charlie Kirk has further destabilized the right-wing landscape, creating a power vacuum that figures like Nick Fuentes are attempting to fill. Fuentes’ October interview with Tucker Carlson ignited a broad MAGA civil war, prompting a revolt within the Heritage Foundation, with two board members resigning in protest. The fallout from this interview was evident in the Shapiro-Carlson exchange at AmericaFest.
Beyond these high-profile disputes, numerous smaller feuds continue to simmer. Owen Shroyer, a former host on Infowars, left the network in September following disagreements with Alex Jones over Shroyer’s perceived negativity towards Trump. Jones has since responded with accusatory tweets, calling Shroyer an “evil agent.” Similarly, staff departures from the MAGA gossip blog Houseinhabit have led to public social media clashes with the blogger, Jessica Reed Kraus.
The constant shifting of alliances and the relentless cycle of conflict within MAGA are, in some ways, almost comical. However, this internal chaos belies the real-world harm being inflicted. Devastating USAID cuts have contributed to cholera outbreaks in South Sudan, while declining vaccination rates in the United States are linked to the influence of figures like RFK Jr. The ongoing “siege” against immigrants and people of color continues under ICE and DHS, with the support of the Supreme Court. MAGA’s constant infighting is as hilarious as it is pointless—and yet, unlike their friendships, the true and lasting damage this exhausting group of people have wrought shows no signs of ending.
