Nick Fuentes’ Groyper movement has been working for years to infiltrate conservative politics. Its growth in Idaho shows how easily extremist ideology can take hold when outrage replaces conviction.
Fuentes built his following by mixing nationalist rhetoric with antisemitic messaging. His goal has been to radicalize young conservatives and steer them away from traditional Republican values while infiltrating local state Republican parties. Former Idaho Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin helped open that door. Her appearance at Fuentes’ America First Political Action Conference in 2022 gave legitimacy to his network and showed that elements within Idaho’s far right were already aligned with the movement. The Groypers did not invade Idaho politics—Dorothy Moon, the IFF, Citizens Alliance of Idaho, and the new Idaho Freedom Caucus welcomed them in. They needed their savvy social media experience and national groyper following to amplify their struggling social following.
This ideology spread through the same network that backed McGeachin’s failed campaign for governor. It embedded itself within groups like the Idaho Freedom Caucus, the Citizens Alliance, and the activists surrounding the Idaho Freedom Foundation. These organizations built influence by claiming to defend conservative values while promoting figures who attack Jewish Americans and reject Israel’s right to exist. Their version of “Christian conservatism” uses faith as a political weapon, not a moral guide.
Influencers like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson amplify this atmosphere nationally. Their constant insinuations about Israel and “global elites” reward anger and draw extremists closer. After Charlie Kirk’s assassination, these networks spread baseless claims blaming Jews and Israel. Nick Fuentes seized on the moment to declare, “The Groyping of TPUSA will continue.” His statement was not just opportunism—it was confirmation that his view of mainstream outrage had merged with his own ideology.
Idaho’s local actors repeat these messages almost verbatim. Dave Reilly continues to operate as the state’s loudest Groyper voice, finding allies among those who style themselves as defenders of freedom. Even after the Idaho Freedom Foundation distanced itself from him publicly, its orbit of sympathizers kept him close. Each time a legislator shares his content or appears alongside his allies, they make the Groyper worldview harder to separate from Republican identity.
This manipulation thrives on fear and ignorance. The narrative always identifies an enemy—Jews, Mormons, the media, or anyone who challenges their authority—and instructs followers to see politics as a holy war. Legislators with little grounding in history or theology adopt this posture because it performs well online. They mistake engagement metrics for conviction and outrage for leadership.
The Trump administration’s recent success in brokering a new peace deal in Israel revealed this hypocrisy in full view. Many of Idaho’s far-right legislators refused even to acknowledge it. When they wanted your vote, they posed beside cardboard cutouts of Trump. They branded themselves as “MAGA,” yet they stayed silent when President Trump achieved one of his most significant accomplishments - a major peace deal in Israel. Their refusal exposed what has become the foundation of this new movement: loyalty not to conservative principles, but to outrage itself. They love to celebrate Trump when he goes after their enemies, but remain silent when it comes to Israel.
The same performative politics appeared again during the failed “Straight, White, Pride” event hosted by Old State Saloon owner Mark Fitzpatrick. These legislators and propagandists stand by him as he openly promotes antisemitism, anti-LDS rhetoric, and a militant version of Christian nationalism. Fitzpatrick’s collaboration with conspiracy theorist Ian Carroll—who often guest-hosts for Candace Owens—revealed how these ideas spread through entertainment masquerading as activism. They crave the X engagement while refusing to engage or listen to their constituents.
Instead of condemning it, far-right propagandists and legislators—Lauren Walker, Brian Almon, and others—rallied around Fitzpatrick. They called criticism of the event “cancel culture,” defended the organizers, and attacked anyone who objected as weak or “woke.” Their behavior told voters what their movement truly stands for: not faith, not freedom, but defiance as a brand. They are unapologetic about embracing hate because they see it as proof of strength.
When pressed to explain what their version of conservatism actually means, these closeted Groypers can’t. Their movement exists around what it opposes, not what it supports. Ask them what they stand for, and they point to whatever their favorite influencer told them to hate: abstract “leftism,” “globalism,” “communism,” “wokeness,” or LGBTQ+ people. Their worldview is pieced together from grievances, rather than positive solutions.
They have turned politics into a perpetual protest. It’s always about tearing down, never about building up. They rage against public schools but have no plan to educate Idaho’s children. They attack the idea of government spending but line up behind corporate subsidies and donor-backed voucher schemes that shift taxpayer money into private hands. They claim to want limited government but use state power to legislate morality and punish dissent. Their version of “freedom” applies only to those who agree with them.
Underneath the slogans lies a libertarian-style resentment of government itself. They see every public program as wasteful because it serves people outside their political tribe. Roads, education, public health, jobs—these aren’t seen as the duties of a functioning government but as evidence of corruption. They strip away funding, accountability, and expertise under the banner of “freedom,” then hand control to their secret donors who profit from privatization. It’s not smaller government; it’s government by insiders.
The pattern is clear: take away everything that benefits the public, give everything to those who fund the outrage machine, and call the result “conservatism.” That formula has hollowed out Idaho’s politics. It rewards the loudest voices, not the most capable leaders. It drains communities while enriching propagandists who live off division.
Aggressive civility remains the way forward. Idahoans can no longer ignore this. Each time someone calmly exposes these contradictions—each time we ask what these politicians are for, rather than what they’re against—the illusion cracks. Facts and consistency break manipulation faster than anger ever could.
Real conservatism builds. It solves problems, protects families, strengthens institutions, and creates prosperity. Idaho deserves leaders who act from conviction and integrity, not influencers chasing clicks or donors pushing profit. The Groypers and their allies have mistaken destruction for courage. Calling that out, clearly and persistently, is how we take back the word “conservative” and give it meaning again.
About the Author
Gregory Graf is the creator of Political Potatoes and a lifelong conservative Republican who lives in Star, Idaho.
Do you want to help support Political Potatoes? Please consider upgrading to a paid subscription and/or leave a tip 😊 Your support keeps this work going and is appreciated.
Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in exercising their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding— are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.
Thank you for this great article and
your work! I gladly share your work!
Thank you for your work.