How a MAGA youth movement is training ‘10,000 Stephen Millers’
American Moment is filling the administration with the new right, and looking to play the long game.
In a quiet Capitol Hill restaurant off the radar, Nick Solheim, the CEO of American Moment, was conducting a training session for young right-wing political staffers. The group, which Solheim co-founded in 2021, aims to mold a new breed of conservative activists for Washington, D.C. Solheim, a 29-year-old blond man, claims his organization has never admitted an Ivy League alumnus, setting it apart from typical conservative circles.
American Moment's fellows engage in tasks like answering phones and relaying messages, often with a Trumpian twist, according to Solheim. The organization's philosophy is to broaden the pipeline beyond those with elite credentials. They have trained over 1,500 young conservatives, with their goal set at 10,000, modeled after Stephen Miller, a hardline Trump aide.
The training is practical, including guidance on grooming, networking, and etiquette. Solheim's program has received praise from high-profile Republicans like Vice President Mike Pence and former national security adviser John Bolton. However, the group faces criticism for its potential alignment with extremist views, as some of their podcast guests have been linked to controversial figures like Nick Fuentes, known for his racist rhetoric.
Despite this, American Moment insists they thoroughly screen their fellows, avoiding those with extremist views and providing them with a purposeful path in conservative politics.
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