In a corner of East London, the US folk musician Oliver Anthony received an enthusiastic welcome this week as he performed his viral anthem, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” a song that addresses social inequality and the political elite’s indifference towards the working class.
Instead of showcasing his talents in one of London’s many music venues, Anthony – who asserts his song doesn’t align with any specific political ideology – played for a select audience: a gathering of affluent conservative activists, donors, and politicians from the US, the UK, and beyond, attending the annual Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) event.
Part political summit, part revival meeting, and compared by some attendees – not without a hint of irony – to the World Economic Forum in Davos, this conference has become an increasingly significant venue for libertarian and populist ideologies, advocating climate skepticism and social conservatism.
This year, particularly following Donald Trump’s election in the US, its purpose was unmistakable.
Just days after JD Vance’s harsh critique of European values at the Munich Security Conference, where he claimed Europe’s greatest threat originated internally and accused it of illiberalism and anti-democratic behaviors, Arc 2025 showcased a novel type of American export: ideological admonishment.
Each day brought new remarks from influential Trump allies that acted as a stark wake-up call to any Europeans still clinging to hope that the vice president’s comments were an anomaly.
“If we can salvage our country, if we can reclaim our institutions, including the bloated overreach of the federal government, you can do what is necessary in your country,” Kevin Roberts, president of the US Heritage Foundation – behind the radical-right Project 2025 blueprint for Trump’s potential second term – reportedly stated at one of several opulent events on the conference’s periphery, according to DeSmog.
Over three days, amidst classical music and various cultural elements, attendees who had spent hundreds of pounds for admission heard a lineup of conservative intellectuals, from British historian Niall Ferguson to the self-described Danish “sceptical environmentalist” Bjørn Lomborg, speaking at London’s expansive Excel conference center.
Serving as a host, interviewer, and socializer was Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist and self-help author who co-founded Arc in 2023 with British Conservative peer Philippa Stroud.
However, it was the American cultural criticisms aimed at European leaders – addressing everything from their net-zero climate policies to their perceived failure to uphold “Western values” – that really resonated with attendees.
Chris Wright, Trump’s former energy secretary, criticized Britain via video for “aggressively pursuing” what he labeled the “lunacy” of net zero. “This is impoverishing your own citizens with a delusion,” said the ex-fracking executive, receiving applause.
Mike Johnson, the US House Speaker and a member of Arc’s advisory board alongside former Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, also spoke, citing the recent elections in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany – where far-right factions are gaining influence or already in power – as evidence of voter discontent with “unchecked power and the erosion of national society.”
These remarks followed explicit endorsements for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party by Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and Trump’s advocate for government cuts, whose appearances at AfD rallies have sparked shockwaves across Germany and Europe. Musk has also made dire claims about alleged censorship in Europe, particularly targeting British leaders like Prime Minister Keir Starmer and expressing support for far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, who is currently jailed for contempt of court.
Rather than shying away from these escalating Trump-influenced depictions of Europe as a dystopian landscape, Arc emphasized how this narrative is embraced by certain conservative factions in Britain and across the continent.
Kemi Badenoch, the relatively new leader of Britain’s opposition Conservative party, expressed gratitude on the first day of Arc for Trump’s leadership and reiterated several of his key issues, criticizing “pronouns, DEI, and climate activism.” On Tuesday, she was followed by Nigel Farage – her right-wing competitor and leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party – who has sought to highlight his closeness to Trump. Echoing terminology popularized by Trump’s circle, Farage proclaimed to Peterson: “Our platform is to re-industrialize Britain.”
According to Arc’s own characterization, the initiative aimed to “re-establish the foundations of our civilization” by uniting “thought leaders and changemakers” committed to a vision filled with hope for the future. Though not explicitly religious, a strong Christian undercurrent permeated the discussions, with Stroud, Peterson, and other key participants making their faith well-known.
During a virtual discussion on the opportunities and challenges posed by AI technology, Silicon Valley billionaire and Republican benefactor Peter Thiel – who has financially supported Vance’s political endeavors – searched for insights from Christian theology.
“I think there were many classical humanist definitions of humanity that have been dismantled. In a way, the more Christian perspectives are among the few that remain viable,” Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and the information technology firm Palantir, commented.
The event also showcased the expanding influence and aspirations of right-wing US advocacy groups seeking to extend their reach beyond American borders. Outside the main auditorium, booths from organizations like the US libertarian network Students for Liberty and the free-market Adam Smith Institute coexisted alongside groups engaged in Britain’s ongoing “culture wars,” such as History Reclaimed and the “anti-woke” campaign Restore Trust.
At one prominent booth, Focus on the Family, a US-based evangelical Christian organization with a global presence, promoted a documentary planned for release later this year that will showcase the efforts of like-minded activists worldwide.
“This film is intended to respond to the cultural moment we’re currently experiencing,” noted Ken Windebank, moments after he was approached by the leader of a Slovakian anti-abortion NGO about potential collaboration. He mentioned that the documentary aims to “galvanize individuals who live out their Christian faith and seek to effect change.”
Despite some lingering apprehension among certain European attendees regarding the radical new course set by the US right, an older Austrian Christian Democrat, who wished to remain anonymous, acknowledged agreement with Vance’s Munich speech but found the US vice-president’s confrontational tone off-putting. Like many others, he also expressed uncertainty about the true aims of Arc.
“This is undoubtedly well-funded, and there are many aspects we can agree on. Yet I still find myself questioning what its actual purpose is, though it does offer valuable networking opportunities,” he remarked.
Conversely, Sam LaCrosse, a Texas-based pro-Trump podcaster and Christian speaker, felt no qualms about Arc’s objectives: he believed it was about forging alliances among Britons, Americans, and others in what he sees as a worldwide populist movement.
“The Trump phenomenon gave us the license to pursue our agenda, and now we have the culturally relevant presence of Jordan Peterson, who naturally propels him to take on a broader role,” LaCrosse commented.
“Moreover, I’m just thrilled to be among others who share similar values. At 27, it reassures me that I’m on the right path.”
