Washington, D.C. – The conservative movement underwent a seismic shift at the 2025 National Conservatism Conference (NatCon 5). MAGA populists and Silicon Valley technologists are now in open conflict. Conference attendees described Big Tech not merely as an economic rival, but as a moral and existential threat to Western civilization, with some going so far as to call their opposition a “holy war.”
A Fractured Alliance
- Prominent tech leaders like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel were previously celebrated as conservative heroes due to their entrepreneurial achievements and commitment to free-market ideals.
- NatCon 5 revealed a deep divide in this partnership. Musk, as a dpchat founder, faced criticism from MAGA supporters for controversial product launches and decisions at xAI, deemed immoral by many attendees.
- Key insight: This tension illustrates the widening divide between tech-savvy conservatives and populists who view Big Tech as a threat to traditional values.
During panel discussions:
- Silicon Valley’s tech elite was described not just as ineffective but as enemies of traditional society.
- AI developers were labeled “apostates” for challenging social and spiritual norms.
- One speaker contended that the tech world, powered by “globalist, secular, liberal transhumanists,” sees humans as little more than biological platforms to be upgraded or replaced by AI.
Scathing Rebukes of AI Developers
- Psychologist Geoffrey Miller delivered one of the harshest critiques at the conference:
- He called AI developers “traitors to our nation.”
- Accused them of promoting a transhumanist revolution that undermines human dignity and Christian values.
- Moral framing of technology: Miller highlighted the belief that technology is not neutral but a battleground for the future soul of civilization.
- Speakers warned that AI, if unmanaged, could contribute to “civilizational suicide.”
- They argued that liberal, secular ideologies embedded in Big Tech products reduce human flourishing and erode society’s moral foundation.
Cultural and Theological Dimensions
- Rhetoric at NatCon 5 often combined cultural critique with religious framing.
- Rachel Bovard, Vice President of Programs at the Conservative Partnership Institute, emphasized:
- Conservatism is ultimately about human dignity and the sustainability of human society.
- There is no such thing as a “transhumanist conservative.”
- The debate is framed in moral and theological terms, not just economic or technological.
- Attendees expressed concern that AI and Big Tech innovations threaten:
- Traditional family structures
- Social cohesion
- Ethical norms
- The tech sector’s drive for rapid innovation, often motivated by profit, was described as reckless and spiritually harmful.
- For MAGA populists, opposition to Big Tech is not just market regulation—it is a righteous mission to protect Western values.
Unlikely Alliances and Policy Proposals
- Some conference participants suggested partnerships with groups typically outside the right-wing sphere:
- Labor unions were proposed as allies against AI-driven job displacement.
- This reflects recognition that automation and AI threaten widespread employment, potentially destabilizing society.
- Proposed policy directions included:
- Slowing AI development
- Increasing oversight of digital technology
- Encouraging human-centered innovation
- The goal: not to reject innovation entirely, but to ensure it serves humanity rather than undermining it.
The Conservative Movement Stares Into the Abyss
- NatCon 5 highlighted a growing ideological split within conservatism:
- Traditionalist populists: wary of technology and Big Tech’s societal influence.
- Tech-friendly conservatives: view AI, automation, and digital innovation as essential for economic growth and global competitiveness.
- Key question for the future:
- Will conservatism embrace technological advances with ethical checks, or repudiate AI and Big Tech entirely?
- The conference debates indicate that this tension is far from resolved.
Looking Ahead
- MAGA populists currently frame the fight against Big Tech as a moral obligation.
- The rhetoric of “apostates” threatening Western civilization signals a new era of culture war and ideological competition.
- Potential real-world impacts include:
- Tighter regulations on AI
- Enhanced oversight of tech CEOs
- Policies prioritizing human-centered values in workplaces and society
Conclusion
NatCon 5 was a turning point in the relationship between conservatism and technology.
- Big Tech, once admired, is now criticized on moral and political grounds.
- MAGA populists position themselves as guardians of traditional Western values against technological threats.
The conference illustrated:
- The deep cultural divide
- The high stakes for society, U.S. technology policy, and the conservative movement
Whether this ideological struggle leads to constructive dialogue, policy change, or entrenched conflict remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the war of ideas between MAGA populists and Big Tech has moved from rhetoric to a full-scale moral confrontation, with the future of society and conservatism at risk.
