Karl Rove Criticizes GOP, Calls Party 'Infiltrated' by 'Conspiracy Nuts'

Republican strategist Karl Rove has sharply criticized the current state of the GOP, describing his party as being "infiltrated" with "conspiracy nuts." Rove, a former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, recently announced he would vote for a Democratic candidate in the Texas Railroad Commission race, citing objections to the Republican candidate, Bo French.

Rove's decision and his subsequent public statements have drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who referred to Rove as a "stone cold loser" on social media. In response, Rove quipped during the 2026 Atlantic Festival in New York City, "I'm gonna go get hats made up that say on the front of 'em, 'Stone Cold.'"

The conflict stems from comments made by French. In a Wednesday op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Rove detailed his decision to vote against French after the candidate posted a photo of non-white University of Texas football fans with the caption, "The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.” Rove stated that further investigation into French revealed more troubling remarks, including tweets asking, "What's worse for America? Jews or Muslims?" and assertions that "the most angry people in the world are white, educated women."

Rove argued that the Republican Party needs to "get rid of these people," referring to individuals he characterized as bigots and conspiracy theorists. He noted that the party has faced similar challenges in the past but stressed the current need to address these elements within its ranks.