What America Fest Revealed About the Right’s Self-Destructive Spiral

One side of the internet absolutely lit up when Ben Shapiro threw the first punch. Now, suddenly, everyone seems shocked that there’s a continuing brawl. This is how it always goes—cheer the escalation, then act scandalized by the consequences.

I don’t mind a little infighting. We’re not a cult, and we don’t need total agreement to move forward. Healthy debate is part of being a big, serious political movement. But what we’re watching right now isn’t debate—it’s people publicly torching their own side while pretending it’s some noble act of moral clarity.

That isn’t strength. It’s self-indulgence.

While Republicans are busy fighting each other for internet points, Democrats have made their agenda crystal clear and are moving forward without hesitation. They don’t stop to ask whether every person in their coalition passes a purity test. They rally, they organize, and they win.

The only way we lose is by insisting huge factions of our own party leave. The only way we lose is by confusing “calling people out” with leadership. There is room for disagreement. There is room for criticism. But there also has to be room for unity—because if we lose sight of the big picture, we hand victory to the other side without them having to lift a finger.

Winning requires perspective. And right now, too many people are losing it.