David Horowitz, the fearless conservative intellectual, author, and founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, passed away Tuesday at the age of 86 after a long battle with cancer. A one-time radical Marxist who experienced a dramatic ideological transformation, Horowitz spent the last half-century as one of the most unapologetic defenders of liberty, traditional American values, and the Constitution.

His death marks the end of an era for the conservative movement—a movement to which Horowitz contributed more than just ideas. He brought fire, truth, and moral clarity to the political battlefield at a time when cowardice and compromise too often defined the Right.

The David Horowitz Freedom Center confirmed his passing with a heartfelt message on X: “On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center’s founder, David Horowitz.”

Born in Queens, New York, Horowitz’s early years were defined by far-left politics. Educated at Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley—epicenters of 1960s leftism—Horowitz was once firmly embedded in the Marxist circles of the radical Left. But after witnessing the hypocrisy, violence, and moral decay of his former comrades, including the murder of a friend by the Black Panthers, Horowitz underwent one of the most dramatic ideological reversals in modern political history.

Rather than quietly retreat, Horowitz chose to fight—hard. He became one of the most prolific conservative voices of our time, authoring numerous books, columns, and speeches that exposed leftist corruption, cultural Marxism, and the deep rot within academia and media.

His son, Benjamin Horowitz, co-founder of the prominent venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, honored his father in a moving social media post, sharing stories of David’s influence and resilience—even in his final days.

According to the obituary, when Benjamin met President Donald Trump last year, he shared how much his father admired him. “President Trump’s face immediately lit up and he insisted that Benjamin get David on the phone immediately,” the tribute recalled. “Hospitalized and weak, David was still delighted to speak with the President.”

That moment of connection between two political fighters—Trump and Horowitz—speaks volumes. Both men were unafraid to name the enemy and confront the cultural Marxists head-on. Horowitz never hesitated to support Trump, knowing full well that the fight to preserve America required bold leadership and moral clarity.

Horowitz is survived by his wife April Mullvain, sons Benjamin and Jonathan, and daughter Anne. His daughter Sarah Rose passed away in 2008. Mullvain was his fourth wife.

“In the end, David helped countless people and expended every fiber of his being pushing society towards freedom,” his family wrote. “He may not have saved the world, but he most certainly made it a better place — especially for us. He was our superhero and we will love him forever.”

Indeed, Horowitz’s legacy is secure. He was a lion among men, a warrior of truth in an age of cowardice, and a relentless critic of the Left’s lies. He may be gone, but his voice—and his warning—will echo for generations.