From AmFest, Sean sits down with Alan Hidalgo (a longtime friend) for a raw, fast-moving conversation about the state of American politics heading into 2028. They talk about why the conservative movement feels more divided than ever, how internet media incentives reward the loudest voices, and why internal civil wars can cost elections.
Alan shares his take on the “post-Charlie” vacuum, the rise of personality-driven politics, the tension between free speech and platform responsibility, and...
From AmFest, Sean sits down with Alan Hidalgo (a longtime friend) for a raw, fast-moving conversation about the state of American politics heading into 2028. They talk about why the conservative movement feels more divided than ever, how internet media incentives reward the loudest voices, and why internal civil wars can cost elections.
Alan shares his take on the “post-Charlie” vacuum, the rise of personality-driven politics, the tension between free speech and platform responsibility, and why he believes Republicans could “fumble the bag” if they can’t unify. They also get into how online outrage cycles shape real-world voting behavior—and what needs to change before the next election.
What You’ll Learn 👇
🗳️ Why 2028 could come down to unity vs. infighting
🧩 What happens when a movement loses its “glue” figure
📈 How “viral” incentives reshape political opinions
🎙️ Why conviction on camera can be more persuasive than facts
🧠 The danger of speaking in absolutes vs. “maybe” thinking
🧨 How internal purity tests can cost midterms + elections
🗣️ Free speech vs. “platforming” and where the line is
Chapters (with timestamps)
0:00 — “We could lose 2028” + why image and charisma matter
0:31 — Sean & Alan reunite at AmFest (how they met)
1:00 — Business + politics: why Allan got louder after Charlie
1:24 — The conservative movement feels fractured (and why)
2:06 — Candace, media cycles, and why audiences get pulled in
4:24 — Midterms + 2028: “If the base doesn’t show up, we lose”
7:26 — Tucker Carlson: viral strategy vs. real conviction
9:23 — Nick Fuentes, free speech, and “let ideas crash on their own”
13:29 — Grading Trump’s second term + why the “files” debate is messy
29:43 — National security fears, party infighting, and what’s next (plus Allan’s IG)
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👤 GUEST
Alan Jesus Hidalgo: https://www.instagram.com/alanhid/
🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team.
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Keywords
AmFest, Turning Point, conservative movement, 2028 election, Gavin Newsom, Republican infighting, right wing media, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, free speech absolutist, platforming debate, Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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