Video: Conservative icon dies at 86 from cancer
The David Horowitz Freedom Center, a conservative think tank founded by the conservative icon, shared a video Tuesday on social media reflecting on Horowitz's life.
'On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center's founder, David Horowitz,' the David Horowitz Freedom Center tweeted. 'After a lengthy battle with cancer, David passed yesterday at the age of 86.'
In a follow-up post, the David Horowitz Freedom Center issued a correction, noting that Horowitz had passed away on April 29.
According to The Daily Caller, Horowitz advocated for conservative causes for more than 40 years and established the David Horowitz Freedom Center in 1988.
In Tuesday's video, the David Horowitz Freedom Center said Horowitz was born on January 10, 1939, in New York and was raised by parents who were committed to the 'progressive left' and 'its Marxist version of a liberated society.' The video explained that Horowitz followed his parents' left-wing political beliefs throughout his college education, where he became the editor of a left-wing magazine called 'Root & Branch.'
READ MORE: Pic: Sports legend dies at 81 amid cancer battle
Despite his commitment to the leftist movement, Horowitz had become 'disturbed at the direction' of the leftist movement by 1969. The David Horowitz Freedom Center said Horowitz 'realized, even at that time, you couldn't really remake the world as the left intended without totalitarian coercion.'
The video noted that Horowitz's transition toward the conservative movement was ultimately prompted by the death of Betty Van Patter in 1975 after he had formed a connection with Black Panther leader Huey Newton.
'In a vignette that Horowitz wrote at the request of the New York Times Magazine, Horowitz recounted the stages of his metamorphosis,' the David Horowitz Freedom Center said. 'Being at the center of a heroic myth inspired passions that informed my youthful passage and guided me to the middle of my adult life, but then I was confronted by a reality so inescapable and harsh that it shattered the romance for good.'
The David Horowitz Freedom Center's video explained that after voting for Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the conservative icon went on to write multiple books exposing the political beliefs of the Democrat Party. Horowitz also launched 'FrontPage Magazine,' the David Horowitz Freedom Center's online publication.
On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center's founder, David Horowitz. After a lengthy battle with cancer, David passed yesterday at the age of 86.
David Horowitz, 1939-2025. Requiescat in pace. pic.twitter.com/F47yooJL3K — David Horowitz (@horowitz39) April 29, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
26 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Republican Senate candidates seeking to replace McConnell aim to define themselves at Fancy Farm
CALVERT CITY, Ky. (AP) — Three Republicans competing to succeed longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell tried to define themselves before the political attacks that could come Saturday when they share the spotlight at the Fancy Farm picnic, a daunting rite of passage for candidates seeking statewide office in Kentucky. 'You're going to hear some barbs tomorrow, but what I want to focus on is my vision for serving in the United States Senate,' Daniel Cameron, one of the candidates, told a GOP crowd Friday evening. Cameron's rivals in next year's Senate primary — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and businessman Nate Morris — used their speeches at the event to introduce themselves to Republican voters in western Kentucky. All three could shift into attack mode against each other Saturday afternoon at the Fancy Farm picnic — the Bluegrass State's premier political event. Politicians compete to land the sharpest — and sometimes most outlandish — barbs, and have to endure shouting and heckling from their rivals' supporters. The picnic could turn into a Republican skirmish since Democratic politicians are mostly skipping the event. McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, revealed in February, on his 83rd birthday, that he won't seek another term in Kentucky and will retire when his current term ends. His pending retirement has set up a fierce competition for his seat. Warming up for their appearance that will air on statewide TV at Fancy Farm, the three GOP rivals kept to one script they've all shared — lavishing praise on Republican President Donald Trump. Barr portrayed his congressional experience as an advantage that sets him apart. He represents a district stretching from central Kentucky's bluegrass region to the Appalachian foothills. 'I'm an 'America First' fighter in the United States Congress,' Barr said Friday night. 'Other people like to talk about being a Trump guy or being with Trump. I've been with President Trump from day one. I'm not just talking about supporting President Trump. I've done it. I'm continuing to do it.' Giving voters a glimpse into his political philosophy, Barr said: 'I'm a guy who was raised in the era of Ronald Reagan. I believe in limited government, free enterprise and a strong national defense.' Morris, a tech entrepreneur, portrayed himself as a populist and a political outsider while trying to attach himself to Trump's popularity in Kentucky. 'What we've seen with this president is that he has put emphasis back on the American worker,' Morris said Friday night. 'And the people that have been in Washington for all this time — the elites – they sold out the American worker.' Morris also touted his hardline stance on immigration. He said he supports a moratorium on immigration into the United States until every immigrant currently in the country illegally is deported. Cameron, who is Black, used his speech to rail against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. 'We don't need … an America built on DEI,' Cameron said. 'We need a country that's built on MEI – merit, excellence and intelligence.' Cameron entered the Senate campaign with one clear advantage — a higher statewide name recognition than his rivals. Cameron served one term as state attorney general and lost to Democrat Andy Beshear in the 2023 governor's race. 'You've been with us in the past,' Cameron told the GOP group Friday night. 'I hope that you'll be with us this time. We're going to get it done because we know that what happens in this seat will have reverberations across this country.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CNBC
26 minutes ago
- CNBC
Office of Special Counsel launches investigation into ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency, is investigating former special counsel Jack Smith for alleged political violations of the Hatch Act, an accusation levied by President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans but one, as publicly presented, void of specific evidence of wrongdoing. Notably, the OSC, which is different than an office of a special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice, lacks the authority to bring criminal charges and prosecute individuals who violate the Hatch Act. The OSC may seek disciplinary action for a federal government employee, such as removal from the civil workforce, or refer its findings of Hatch Act violations to the DOJ for investigation. On Wednesday, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., requested that the OSC investigate Smith for "unprecedented interference in the 2024 election." The OSC confirmed to NBC News on Saturday that it is investigating the alleged violations, and a source familiar says the OSC affirmed to Cotton that it is proceeding with its inquiry after his request. Smith was tapped as special counsel by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to oversee the federal investigations into Trump, who announced his candidacy for the presidency three days before Smith's appointment. Smith would go on to bring two criminal indictments against then-candidate Trump in 2023 but resigned just over one week before Trump's inauguration in January 2024 — without ever having brought the two cases to trial. "Jack Smith's legal actions were nothing more than a tool for the Biden and Harris campaigns," Cotton wrote on X, this week. "This isn't just unethical, it is very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office." Cotton, in part, alleges that Smith pushed for a "rushed trial" for Trump. The Republican lawmaker has not publicly presented evidence that details how Smith's actions were illegal in nature. Hatch Act violations are not typically referred to the Department of Justice. In 2019, the OSC recommended that then-President Trump remove White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway from the federal workforce for Hatch Act violations — but the matter was not sent to the DOJ. The OSC investigation was first reported by the NY Post. Trump's nominee to head the OSC is stalled in the Senate. A White House official told NBC News that Paul Ingrassia, a former podcast host with a history of incendiary commentary, is meeting with senators in one-on-one meetings over the next month before a confirmation vote takes place.
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Office of Special Counsel launches investigation into ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency, is investigating former special counsel Jack Smith for alleged political violations of the Hatch Act, an accusation levied by President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans but one, as publicly presented, void of specific evidence of wrongdoing. Notably, the OSC, which is different than an office of a special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice, lacks the authority to bring criminal charges and prosecute individuals who violate the Hatch Act. The OSC may seek disciplinary action for a federal government employee, such as removal from the civil workforce, or refer its findings of Hatch Act violations to the DOJ for investigation. On Wednesday, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., requested that the OSC investigate Smith for 'unprecedented interference in the 2024 election.' The OSC confirmed to NBC News on Saturday that it is investigating the alleged violations, and a source familiar says the OSC affirmed to Cotton that it is proceeding with its inquiry after his request. Smith was tapped as special counsel by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to oversee the federal investigations into Trump, who announced his candidacy for the presidency three days before Smith's appointment. Smith would go on to bring two criminal indictments against then-candidate Trump in 2023 but resigned just over one week before Trump's inauguration in January 2024 — without ever having brought the two cases to trial. 'Jack Smith's legal actions were nothing more than a tool for the Biden and Harris campaigns,' Cotton wrote on X, this week. 'This isn't just unethical, it is very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office.' Cotton, in part, alleges that Smith pushed for a 'rushed trial' for Trump. The Republican lawmaker has not publicly presented evidence that details how Smith's actions were illegal in nature. Hatch Act violations are not typically referred to the Department of Justice. In 2019, the OSC recommended that then-President Trump remove White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway from the federal workforce for Hatch Act violations — but the matter was not sent to the DOJ. The OSC investigation was first reported by the NY Post.
