"Why Apologize?” - Heritage Foundation CEO Opens Up About Backlash | PBD #742

In this podcast episode, Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, candidly discusses a wide range of topics concerning the conservative movement, his organization's role, and current political and social issues. He addresses the controversy surrounding a podcast featuring Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, how Heritage manages its diverse donor base, the challenges of governing as a conservative movement, and strategies for engaging younger Americans with conservative ideals. Among other subjects, Roberts also reflects on family policy, the crisis of manhood, transgender issues, political leadership, and the influence of social media and artificial intelligence on public discourse.

Apology for the Controversy Involving Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes

Kevin Roberts apologized primarily for two mistakes related to a video about the incident when Tucker Carlson interviewed Nick Fuentes. The first was confusing personal friendship with institutional support, and the second was the use of a few inartful phrases that unintentionally hurt Jewish friends and others. He emphasized that his deepest Jewish allies knew his stance against antisemitism and had supported strengthening Heritage's work fighting antisemitism. He remarked that Heritage's record in combating antisemitism is unparalleled among organizations of its size, and these relationships helped navigate the backlash. Roberts stressed that his apology centered on clarifying the importance of carefully chosen words in sustaining free speech without causing harm or confusion, not on backing away from robust discourse.

The Heritage Foundation's Mission and Organizational Structure

Founded in 1973, the Heritage Foundation has evolved into an influential conservative public policy advocacy group. Unlike traditional think tanks that only produce research papers, Heritage actively advocates for legislation on Capitol Hill and operates an advocacy arm called Heritage Action, which lobbies on federal issues. Roberts described Heritage as nonpartisan but unapologetically philosophically conservative, with its core mission to decentralize power from Washington to states and families, restoring more self-governance to everyday Americans. Heritage also fosters global connections among conservative movements in the Far East, Europe, Latin America, and Africa, aiming to support self-governance worldwide. The organization employs hundreds of staff and relies on hundreds of thousands of individual donors rather than corporate funding, underscoring its grassroots focus.

Challenges of Public Policy Advocacy in the Age of Social Media and AI

Roberts explained how the conservative movement, including Heritage, faces significant challenges due to the rapid democratization of information powered by social media and artificial intelligence. The rise of instant voices has made the environment more complex and contested, unlike prior decades when scholars or experts held more exclusive sway over public discourse. Heritage has adapted by incorporating AI tools for research efficiency while ensuring human oversight and by shortening and modernizing messaging to improve timeliness and engagement. Social media's proliferation means everyone can self-appoint as an expert, which Heritage embraces as a positive democratization but acknowledges the difficulties in cutting through noise with clear, credible communication.

The Fractured Conservative Movement

Roberts acknowledged the conservative movement's fractured state, attributing it to both principled and historical causes. Conservatives inherently resist intellectual totalitarianism, making them naturally prone to vigorous debate and dissent within their ranks. Historically, he noted that conservatives often struggle with governing once in power, which creates tension between ideology and practical politics. However, Roberts emphasized that the current political moment—with a Trump-aligned presidency and narrow congressional majorities—is a fleeting but significant opportunity. Heritage's approach is to emphasize unity on shared principles during governance, while reserving intellectual debates for quieter, behind-the-scenes discourse. The goal is "adding and multiplying" agreement while managing disagreements constructively.

Managing Donor Relations and Institutional Leadership in a Nonprofit

Roberts reflected on the unique challenges nonprofit leaders confront when managing relationships with diverse donor bases that may have conflicting views. Unlike for-profit CEOs who can retain majority control, nonprofit CEOs must build coalitions and be legislative leaders responsible for navigating competing interests. Drawing on his personal experience founding a K-12 school and insights from Jim Collins's "Good to Great for Social Sectors," Roberts views his role as one requiring political acumen and the ability to convene divergent constituents. Transparency and clear vision are vital. He shared examples, such as a donor critical of Heritage's pro-life emphasis who, after candid discussion, remained a committed supporter. Such openness governs his approach to donor conversations, even when disagreements arise.

Navigating Controversies and Upholding Free Speech

In addressing donor concerns and external criticism, Roberts underlined Heritage's commitment to free speech balanced with careful, responsible communication. He emphasized that supporting controversial figures or viewpoints does not equate to endorsing all their actions or statements. Heritage maintains a "one voice policy," meaning the institution speaks with a unified position after internal debate, but is confident enough to hold public conversations featuring diverse perspectives. Roberts cited Heritage's evolution on China policy as an example of institutional humility and adaptability, including public debates and acknowledgment of prior mistaken assumptions. For Heritage, transparency in controversy is a source of strength and credibility rather than weakness.

Engaging Younger Americans and Evolving Conservative Messaging

Heritage recognizes the generational gap in its traditional donor base, which skews older with an average donor age in the late 60s, and is actively working to reach younger audiences. Roberts stressed the importance of authenticity and answering Gen Z's distrust of institutions by being genuine rather than conforming to trends. The Presidential Transition Project (Project 2025), for example, resonated deeply with younger Americans because it addresses their perception of elite overreach and proposes reclaiming power. Heritage collaborates with youth-oriented organizations like Turning Point USA by co-hosting events and adopting their digital advocacy tactics. While Heritage has improved youth engagement, Roberts admitted there remains much room for growth in adapting to social media and cultural shifts.

Heritage's Role in Family Policy and America's Birth Rate Crisis

Roberts highlighted a major policy focus at Heritage on addressing America's declining birth rate, currently at about 1.58 births per woman, which is below replacement level. Heritage released a landmark family policy paper that calls for reversing cultural and economic trends that discourage marriage and childbearing. Roberts pointed to economic barriers such as housing and health care costs and criticized welfare policies that unintentionally disincentivize marriage. He highlighted examples from Israel and Hungary, where pro-family policies have shown favorable impacts on birth rates and marriage stability. Proposals include tax incentives for marriage before age 30 and expanded adoption tax credits to encourage childbearing. Recognizing this as a multigenerational challenge, Heritage also emphasizes the role of religious and cultural institutions in shaping positive attitudes toward family.

The Crisis of Manhood and Mental Health Concerns

Roberts spoke candidly about the social and cultural crisis affecting American males, linking it to alarming mental health statistics, including the fact that boys and men are four times more likely to commit suicide than females. He attributed much of this to the breakdown of family and community institutions and harmful influences from social media, citing TikTok's negative impact on young women as an example. Heritage advocates for genuine cultural renewal alongside policy solutions, recognizing government can only do so much. Roberts reflected on personal family tragedy linked to mental health struggles. The foundation promotes conservative responses focused on restoring authentic masculinity and human dignity.

Position on Transgender Issues and Public Policy

The episode covered Heritage's stance on transgender surgery and related issues. Roberts stated that both political sides agree on restricting such procedures for minors, but disagreement persists regarding adults. Heritage takes the position that transgender surgeries are harmful to individuals based on emerging evidence linking them to mental health problems and, increasingly, violent behavior, citing a recent tragic shooting in Rhode Island with a transgender father involved. Roberts advocated outlawing such surgeries as detrimental to human well-being and societal health. He described Heritage as "radical incrementalists" willing to work with allies toward stepwise restrictions, highlighting the movement's growing legal and medical challenges facing gender-affirming surgery providers.

Perspectives on Conservative Political Leadership and 2024 Transition Efforts

Roberts lauded current conservative leaders like Senators Marco Rubio and JD Vance for their intellectual and communication skills, noting this combination is rare in political history. Heritage refrains from endorsing candidates but supports those who champion devolving power to states, protecting family values, ensuring national security, and restoring free enterprise. He described Heritage's prominent role in coordinating a coalition of 110 conservative organizations culminating in a robust database of vetted candidates for executive branch appointments during transitions, dating back to Reagan's administration. The organization conducts resume reviews, background checks, and training for potential appointees, complementing official vetting processes.

The Role of Personal Faith and Ethical Leadership

Faith informs much of Roberts's perspective and leadership style. A Roman Catholic, he highlighted the importance of moral clarity and viewed his position as a calling to serve with charity and integrity beyond political victories. Roberts relates faith to maintaining unity, managing disagreements, and viewing service as a higher purpose within Heritage. This foundation underpins his approach to contentious issues and helps sustain personal and organizational resilience amid public controversies.

Handling Donor Controversies and Ethical Boundaries

Drawing on past experiences, Roberts explained Heritage's practices when confronted with problematic donors or controversial funding sources. They rigorously vet contributions and refuse or return donations that pose ethical conflicts or demands to alter Heritage's core positions. He noted that few donations come from corporations, ensuring organizational independence. The scrutiny around donors such as those connected to Jeffrey Epstein's scandal exemplifies the care they exercise, including investigating the nature of relationships and avoiding pay-to-play dynamics. Transparency and ethical consistency are non-negotiable standards.

Social Media, Authenticity, and Conservative Outreach

Roberts discussed how the conservative movement must embrace modern communication channels to survive and thrive. He agrees that authenticity is vital but also acknowledges the need to sharpen messaging and increase presence on platforms frequented by young people. Heritage pursues partnerships with organizations adept at youth engagement like Turning Point USA and aims to elevate new and diverse conservative voices, including scholars like Emma Waters focusing on family policy. He acknowledged the challenge of breaking into younger, more diverse demographics but affirmed it as a necessary priority for sustaining conservatism's future.

Reflections on White House Staffing and Political Appointments

The conversation touched on President Trump's approach to staffing his administration's thousands of appointments. Roberts highlighted Heritage's collaboration in assembling transition databases and facilitating appointments, underscoring thorough vetting and coalition work across the conservative movement. He commented on key appointments like Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's successor and expressed admiration for the current cabinet's intellectual and communicative effectiveness. While Heritage does not publicly speculate on personnel changes, Roberts praised capable officials like Attorney General Merrick Garland's successor and others for progressing conservative policy aims.

Addressing the Epstein Scandal and Political Fallout

Roberts acknowledged the sensitivity and significance of the Epstein scandal within and beyond conservative circles, stressing that transparency must be paramount in handling such issues to maintain public trust. He referenced congressional efforts to pursue accountability while balancing concerns about the safety of witnesses and the innocent. Roberts underscored the risk of prolonged controversies distracting from governance and urged patience while demanding thorough investigations. He also commented on the importance of sober and serious leadership amid social media-fueled speculation.

Advice on Political Communication and Debate

Roberts shared insights from his background as a debate coach on effective argumentation. Key principles include rejecting an opponent's framing, focusing on few critical points, maintaining civility, and using a smile to convey confidence and goodwill. He noted how political figures like Donald Trump both disrupt and innovate communication styles, blending humor and firmness to engage and dominate public narratives. Effective communication remains essential for influencing voters and sustaining political coalitions.

The Conservative Movement's Future and Midterm Outlook

Looking forward, Roberts expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming midterm elections. He believes economic improvements and clear articulation of conservative legislative achievements will be crucial to electoral success. He encouraged leaders to present an aspirational conservative vision rather than merely opposing the left. Roberts sees the current historic moment as a unique opportunity to capitalize on conservative unity and institutional maturity to effect meaningful policy change.