The right-wing media landscape is undergoing a noticeable shift and Dan Bongino’s return to podcasting on , via Rumble, isn’t happening in the same ecosystem he left behind. His comeback coincides with a fracturing within the conservative movement, particularly around the handling of the Epstein files and the increasing visibility of extremist viewpoints.
Bongino’s departure from the FBI and subsequent foray into media always presented a perceived duality – the lawman versus the opinionator. He himself defended this, arguing that different roles require different approaches. However, the lines blurred, as evidenced by his criticisms of the “Russia collusion hoax” while simultaneously claiming his FBI work was separate from his personal opinions. His return, following a period away from right-wing podcasting, raises the question of whether he has changed, or whether the landscape has shifted around him.
The timing of Bongino’s return is particularly noteworthy given the renewed focus on the Epstein case. He addressed the matter on his first show back, stating he “wanted to see the files” and that what was contained within wasn’t what he expected. This came as other figures on the right, like Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes, were engaging with the files in markedly different ways. Owens, whose podcast has seen rapid growth, opened her show with a skeptical inquiry about continued coverage of the case, then launched into a lengthy discussion involving Freud, Freemasonry, and alleged child-abuse rituals. Fuentes, meanwhile, took a more overtly antisemitic tack, labeling Epstein as “a Jew” and dismissing Owens’ approach.
This divergence highlights a broader schism emerging within right-wing media. The Hollywood Reporter recently categorized the conflict as a battle between “MAGA Moderates” – including figures like Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro – and “MAGA MANIACS” – encompassing Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly. The lines are fluid, with even Alex Jones, known for his conspiracy theories, now being included among the “moderates.” This radicalization of the right-wing media sphere is particularly evident in the growing influence of Nick Fuentes, who has gained traction among younger audiences previously drawn to Charlie Kirk (who reportedly disliked Fuentes).
The internal conflicts extend beyond ideological disagreements. Several prominent figures, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have publicly broken with Donald Trump, with Greene even stating that “MAGA was all a lie.” This fracturing is occurring at a critical juncture, as the post-Trump direction of the right remains uncertain. The fact that individuals can move between roles – from FBI to podcast host, for example – underscores the porous boundaries within this world and the potential for these internal disputes to have broader political ramifications.
Bongino’s initial return wasn’t without technical difficulties, with his stream cutting out shortly after starting and him attributing it to an attack on Rumble and his show. This incident, while potentially a technical glitch, speaks to the heightened tensions and sense of siege mentality that pervades certain corners of the right-wing media ecosystem.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that both Owens and Fuentes have been critical of Trump, with Fuentes even characterizing Trump’s administration as unserious. This suggests a growing dissatisfaction with the former president among some elements of the far-right, even as he remains a powerful force within the Republican party.
Bongino’s return to the airwaves, isn’t simply a comeback for a popular conservative voice. It’s a re-entry into a significantly altered landscape, one marked by internal divisions, extremist viewpoints, and a growing questioning of the very foundations of the “MAGA” movement. Whether he can navigate these complexities – and whether his brand of conservatism still resonates in this new environment – remains to be seen. The question isn’t just about Dan Bongino, but about the future of right-wing media itself.
