Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Holy Cow, Young Conservatives Are NOT Okay"
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Jonathan V. Last (“JVL”)
Episode Overview
In this bracing episode, Tim Miller and Jonathan V. Last dissect a jaw-dropping focus group with Gen Z Republicans conducted by the Manhattan Institute. The pair dive deep into the disturbing, reactionary, and at times openly bigoted opinions that emerged, questioning what this says about the future of the conservative movement, the normalization of extremist discourse, and how leading Republican figures are navigating (and enabling) this rising tide. The tone is incredulous, darkly humorous, and urgent, with Miller and JVL oscillating between sharp critique and gallows humor as they process the group's shocking views.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The 'Focus Group from Hell'
[01:00–02:09]
- The Manhattan Institute, historically mainstream, hosted a focus group with Gen Z Republicans.
- JVL provides context: If The Bulwark had published these results, conservatives would accuse them of "nutpicking." The Manhattan Institute, however, seems unfazed at the extremity.
- Quote:
- “Let’s just start with the Hitler stuff.” – JVL [01:40]
2. Flirting with Fascism – Gen Z's Takes on Hitler
[02:09–04:07]
- Participants praise Hitler’s "leadership," even if they caveat it with “terrible intentions.”
- Explicit endorsements of strongman governance, nationalism, and 'taking America back' echo the rhetoric of Trump and European fascists.
- Quote:
- “I think he was a great leader, to be honest… I think he showed very strong leadership values.” – Focus group participant Ashley (quoted by JVL) [02:09]
3. Stunning Antisemitism
[04:38–05:35]
- The group shifts seamlessly from talking about Hitler to spouting classic antisemitic tropes about Jewish control of Hollywood and media.
- Several agree Jews are “a force for evil,” with one participant overtly supporting that sentiment.
- Quote:
- “‘Do you think the Jewish people are a force for evil?’ Andrew says, 'Yes sir. Doesn’t bother me if it’s true.’” – JVL citing focus group [05:10]
4. Nick Fuentes and the Normalization of Extremism
[06:22–09:04]
- When asked about notorious white nationalist Nick Fuentes, several participants express admiration—describing him as “hilarious,” “based,” and “in tune with the market.”
- For many, Fuentes’s views are considered simply “interesting” or dismissed as poorly delivered, not fundamentally objectionable.
- Quote:
- “I think it’s hilarious. I agree with a lot of his points…he said that all blacks should be in jail…he’s kind of a psycho…kind of like a positive psycho. He’s so based.” – Focus group participant George, paraphrased by JVL and Miller [07:02–07:21]
- “I dig him. He knows the market. He’s not going to please everybody…that is a Gen Z conservative basically saying, 'I know people like me. We are the market for Nick Fuentes.’” – Atticus (quoted and analyzed by Miller) [07:55]
5. Regressive Gender Attitudes and Dating
[09:11–10:13]
- Deeply misogynistic views emerge around women and dating, including nostalgia for “traditional” submissive women and support for taking away women’s right to vote.
- One male participant: “I feel like women are very emotional and that politics is a man’s discipline. I seriously believe it. My mother actually believes this too...I’ve never really seen a woman who truly understands politics.” [09:52]
6. Prevalence and Social Acceptance of Extremism among Gen Z Republicans
[11:41–14:39]
- Miller and JVL note: This isn’t just fringe—the participants are comfortable expressing radical views, in a recorded, public context, one sign Hispanic participant even walks out.
- Miller draws parallels to previous eras when overt racism was spoken “because there wouldn’t be social consequences.” Now, open white nationalism and hate are “back in style” because the movement’s leaders won’t police it.
- Quote:
- “Once you get that comfortable saying that kind of stuff, because you know other people around you are okay with it…we’ve come back around to that with these nationalist, Hitler-adjacent, griper [Groypers] views.” – Tim Miller [13:29]
7. Trump, J.D. Vance, and the Right's Factional Dynamics
[14:39–18:44]
- Discussion of how Trump accommodates both the “griper” wing (far-right, often bigoted) and his pro-Israel, conservative Jewish backers—allowing both to feel represented.
- J.D. Vance’s attempts to “invert” the Trump coalition are critiqued as an unsustainable straddle.
- Miller: If Vance or another Trump successor is seen as “inevitable,” most of the party will fall in line, just as with Trump.
- Quote:
- “He’s (Trump) made space for the gripers and the anti-Semites at the table. But then he’s delivered on the pro-Israel policies for his conservative Jewish supporters.” – JVL [15:39]
8. Where Is the Energy—and the Consequences?
[18:44–20:44]
- JVL posits: The “griper” extreme wing holds all the energy and excitement; everyone else is relegated to finger-wagging and scolding, i.e., the “Mitch McConnell” lane.
- Miller: Even if Ben Shapiro is factually right, the emotional momentum with the youth is all on the side of conspiracy, exclusion, and radical populism.
- Quote:
- “I just think it’s objectively true…the energy is on that side. That is what the younger folks want…Could it change? Who the hell knows what the future holds?” – Tim Miller [19:06–20:24]
9. The Manhattan Institute's Motivation – Cluelessness or Cautionary?
[20:44–22:09]
- Miller speculates: Was this a warning bell, a donor-pleasing project gone awry, or just blundering incompetence?
- JVL: Either way, the Institute was, strangely, willing to publicly release evidence of deep rot in the movement.
- Quote:
- “They did the focus group and – whoa, they’re Nazis. What do we do now? Well, inertia…” – Miller [21:37]
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
Hitler Discussion
- “Let’s just start with the Hitler stuff.” – JVL [01:40]
- “I think he was a great leader, to be honest...showed strong leadership values.” – Focus group participant Ashley, quoted by JVL [02:09]
Antisemitism
- “They’ve got Hollywood on lock...Don’t they own like a ton of media?” – Focus group participants, quoted by JVL [04:48]
- “Do you think the Jewish people are a force for evil? Andrew says, 'Yes sir.'” – JVL [05:10]
Nick Fuentes Admiration
- “[Fuentes] is so based. He knows his market. That’s like a firsthand testimony—Nick Fuentes is giving young Magas what they want.” – Tim Miller [07:55]
- “He has some interesting opinions, I think specifically on race. They’re just interesting opinions, Tim.” – JVL quoting Ethan [08:32]
Women and Voting
- “I just feel like women are very emotional and that politics is a man’s discipline. My mother actually believes this too.” – JVL quoting Andrew [09:52]
Social Acceptance of Extremist Views
- “Once you get that comfortable saying that kind of stuff because you know the people around you are okay with it…we've come back around to that.” – Tim Miller [13:29]
Right-Wing Coalitions
- “Trump has held his coalition together because he’s made space for the gripers and the anti-Semites at the table. But then he’s delivered on the pro-Israel policies for his conservative Jewish supporters.” – JVL [15:39]
Where the Energy Lies
- “Everybody else becomes basically Mitch McConnell. Wagging their finger, saying don't talk about that.” – JVL [19:04]
The Manhattan Institute’s Baffling Choices
- “They did the focus group and – whoa, they're Nazis. What do we do now? Well, inertia…” – Tim Miller [21:37]
Conclusion
This episode is a frank, often shocking exploration of the state of Gen Z conservatism as revealed by a focus group that’s both a canary in the coal mine and a jarring warning siren. Miller and JVL argue that the radicalization and normalization of extremist, exclusionary views among young conservatives should no longer be hand-waved away as fringe behavior. Mainstream institutions appear unable—or unwilling—to contain or repudiate these views, and leading Republican figures continue to make room at the table for the furthest right, further feeding the cycle.
Final Words:
“Merry Christmas. Hitler’s bad. We’ll see you soon.” – Tim Miller [22:12]
For more: Sign up for Jonathan Last’s “The Triad” on The Bulwark and subscribe for more Bulwark Takes.