David Horowitz, Polarizing Conservative Activist, Dies at 86

David Horowitz, a former Marxist who became a leading conservative activist and author, died at age 86 after a battle with cancer. Beyond his influential writing and founding of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Horowitz was known for his support of Donald Trump, his opposition to Palestinian rights, and his controversial anti-Muslim activism. The Freedom Center was labeled an 'anti-Muslim' hate group by critics and civil rights organizations for its campaigns against Muslim and pro-Palestinian student organizations. Horowitz's political transformation made him a polarizing figure, attracting both praise from conservatives and sharp criticism from academics, advocacy groups, and interfaith coalitions for promoting Islamophobia and conspiracy theories. He is survived by his wife April and three children, including Benjamin Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz. His legacy is deeply contentious, reflecting the ideological divides he helped shape.