Podcast: IHIP News
Episode: MAGA Turns on JD Vance in Disgusting Racist Civil War
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Date: November 8, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan take a deep dive into the erupting “civil war” within the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, spurred by increasingly overt racism, anti-Semitism, and infighting among key right-wing influencers and politicians. They focus particularly on the backlash against JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy—both with close ties to minority identities—and how MAGA's years of stoking bigotry are collapsing back onto the movement itself. With sharp wit and pointed analysis, the hosts underscore the dangers, ironies, and consequences of weaponized intolerance, and draw connections to shifting power dynamics on the right.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The MAGA “Big Tent” in Civil War (01:05)
- Jennifer characterizes the GOP as a “big tent full of racists that are now fighting over which groups they can be racist about and which groups they can’t.”
- She describes the GOP’s long history of stoking “xenophobia,” “tribalism,” and culture wars, now leading to in-fighting.
Backlash Against MAGA’s Non-White Figures (01:50)
- Example: Vivek Ramaswamy (Indian American, Hindu, Trump supporter) faces racist abuse inside the MAGA base.
- Quotes from right-wing social media reflect explicit racism:
- “End foreigners in American politics. Got a better chance of an Indian finding a toilet. Get the fuck out of my country.”
- Quotes from right-wing social media reflect explicit racism:
- Jennifer notes, “no one is safe. At some point the knives will be at you.”
- Shifts the focus to JD Vance, whose wife Usha is Indian American and Hindu. Despite this, Vance “piles on every chance he can get” instead of standing up against racism.
JD Vance’s Tepid Response & MAGA’s Disposability (03:51)
- Pumps: Critiques Vance’s public defense of his wife as weak:
- “I love my wife, but she can’t help it that she’s, you know, of Indian descent. I mean, it's like that is so tepid. Like you need to come out swinging at these people.”
- Discusses how MAGA figures like Vivek are used then discarded—“He had used him up...he didn’t need him anymore.”
The Cycle of Bigotry Consumes Its Own (04:46)
- Dinesh D’Souza (far-right commentator) attempts to defend Vivek but is rebuffed by MAGA’s racist base, faces mockery from critics like Ron Filipkowski.
- Jennifer:
- “When you join a racist regime and you are marginalized, the knives...you're not safe from those same knives. At some point, they turn to you.”
Ben Shapiro, Zionism, and Anti-Semitism Within MAGA (05:50)
- Jennifer explores Ben Shapiro’s (conservative commentator, Zionist, former Trump backer) attempt to distance himself from open neo-Nazis and "gripers" but without ever criticizing Trump directly.
- Ben Shapiro’s video: “No to the cowards like Tucker Carlson who normalize their trash.”
- Jennifer:
- “Ben, you did a 41 minute video and didn’t bring up Trump, not one time. That is normalizing this trash. He is the leader who unleashed these people.”
Reaping What You Sow (09:29)
- Pumps: Reflects on Ben Shapiro being targeted by the very hate he fostered:
- “But he stoked it. He loved on it. He nestled it in his bosom. And now that he's the recipient of it, I hope it will give him empathy and perspective. Am I holding my breath for that? Absolutely not...now you reap what you sow.”
Christian Zionism’s Anti-Semitic Core (10:59)
- Jennifer: Dissects the “deal” between Christian Zionists and Jewish conservatives—the former support Israel for apocalyptic prophecy, which is inherently anti-Semitic.
- “Your humanity is completely stripped. So Ben is not a credible messenger here.”
- Notes the growing influence of online “Groypers”—followers of openly neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes—who threaten to disrupt JD Vance’s presidential ambitions.
- “Here’s neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes talking about how he is going to unleash the Groipers on JD Vance if JD Vance runs for president in 2028...”
- (Clip played)
- “We will go to every town hall...we will be there. We’ll be in every primary and caucus state.” (14:39)
Billionaire Influence & Right-Wing Populism (16:04)
- Jennifer: Notes that attacks on the “elites” and “billionaires” now unify fringes in both parties—but warns that on the right, it’s co-opted by anti-Semitic tropes and opportunism.
- Pumps: Shivers at the Heritage Foundation embracing the Groypers:
- “That just chills sent through my body thinking about the groipers being, you know, brought in and hugged by the Heritage Foundation.” (24:59)
Heritage Foundation’s Pivotal Role (19:00)
- Heritage Foundation leader proclaims:
- “When it serves the interest of the United States to cooperate with Israel...we should do so...But when it doesn’t, conservatives should feel no obligation to reflexively support any foreign government...That includes Tucker Carlson, who remains...a close friend of the Heritage Foundation...I disagree with and even abhor things Nick Fuentes says. But canceling him is not the answer either.” (20:23)
- Jennifer: Frames this as a “tectonic shift” in the Republican Party, signaling a post-Trump, Christian nationalist, and openly anti-Semitic turn:
- “Notice he didn’t mention Trump in that video. Notice the irrelevance of [Trump]. Notice how everybody is gearing up for a post-[Trump] America. Heritage has chosen Tucker as their heir apparent…”
Democratic Leadership Lags Behind (19:19, 25:37)
- Jennifer: Criticizes Dem leaders for failing to clearly distinguish between criticism of Israel’s government and anti-Semitism, letting right-wing figures claim that messaging ground.
- “We are getting outflanked by bigots and anti-Semites right now...the Democratic leadership...should be standing up and saying, we support Jewish people and therefore we do not support a war criminal regime...But instead, they're getting outflanked by these psychos.”
Opportunism vs. Principle (24:59)
- Pumps: “These people that are turning against the Israeli government aren’t doing it because kids are being killed...They’re doing it for personal gain, full stop.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“That’s the governing party and they have fed this xenophobia and this tribalism and these culture wars forever. And now it is erupting and there is an all out civil war in MAGA and it is delicious.”
— Jennifer (01:05) -
“At some point the knives will be at you.”
— Jennifer (01:50) -
“No one is safe. … MAGA is never going to accept Usha Vance because they're racists. They are racist to the core.”
— Pumps (04:26) -
“When you join a racist regime and you are marginalized or you are a minority, the knives that you enjoy being put at gay people, being put at black people, being put at women—you’re not safe from those same knives.”
— Jennifer (04:46) -
“Ben, you did a 41 minute video and didn’t bring up Trump, not one time. That is normalizing this trash. He is the leader who unleashed these people.”
— Jennifer (06:55) -
“He stoked it. He loved on it. He nestled it in his bosom. And now that he’s the recipient of it, I hope it will give him empathy and perspective. Am I holding my breath for that? Absolutely not.”
— Pumps (09:29) -
“My loyalty as a Christian and as an American is to Christ first.”
— Heritage Foundation Leader (19:19)
Important Timestamps for Segments
- 01:05 — MAGA’s “big tent” civil war, racism against Ramaswamy and Usha Vance
- 03:51 — JD Vance’s response to racism toward his wife; MAGA’s disposability
- 04:46 — D’Souza and Ron Filipkowski reflect on racism in MAGA ranks
- 05:50 — Ben Shapiro’s anti-Groyper video; normalization of extremism
- 09:29 — Ben Shapiro “reaps what he sows”; legacy of bigotry
- 10:59 — Christian Zionism’s anti-Semitic roots; rise of the Groypers
- 14:39 — Nick Fuentes’ plans to follow and harass JD Vance on campaign trail
- 16:04 — Billionaire bashing and opportunism among far right
- 19:00 & 20:23 — Heritage Foundation’s statements on Israel, refusing to denounce Tucker and Fuentes
- 22:16 — The remaking of the GOP, post-Trump power centers
- 24:59 — Heritage hugs the Groypers, right-wing opportunism
- 25:37 — Anti-Semitism and opportunistic politics, warnings to Democratic leadership
Final Thoughts
Jennifer and Pumps make clear that the Republican base is now defined by Christian nationalism, racism, and anti-Semitism, with Trump sidelined and new power centers like the Heritage Foundation and Tucker Carlson emerging. They warn that the so-called “civil war” reveals the dangers of long-tolerated bigotry, and criticize Democrats for not sufficiently combating these narratives. The episode ends with urgent calls for clarity and courage against resurgent fascism, reminding listeners that when you nurture hate, it always eventually circles back.