Trump Defends Tucker Carlson Over Interview With Anti-Semite Nick Fuentes: “You Can’t Tell Him Who to Interview”
President Donald Trump downplayed the uproar surrounding conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s recent sit-down with Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist notorious for his antisemitic statements and Holocaust denial. The interview sparked sharp division within the Republican Party, but Trump chose to back Carlson rather than criticize him.
Speaking to reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend in Florida, Trump dismissed the controversy. “You can’t tell him who to interview,” he said, referring to Carlson. “If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes, I don’t know much about him, but if he wants to do it, get the word out. People have to decide.”
Trump also noted that Carlson had long been friendly toward him. He pointed out that the commentator “has said good things about me over the years,” making clear that he harbored no criticism toward either Carlson or Fuentes.
A few minutes later, Trump added, “Meeting people, talking to people for somebody like Tucker — that’s what they do. You know, people are controversial.”
Fuentes appeared pleased with Trump’s remarks, quickly posting online, “Thank you Mr. President!” along with a clip of Trump’s exchange with the press.
The connection between Trump and Fuentes had already drawn scrutiny years earlier, when Fuentes attended a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate alongside rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after Ye’s series of antisemitic rants. At the time, Trump said he had been unaware of who Fuentes was, stating that he “knew nothing about” him before the dinner.
The 2022 Mar-a-Lago meeting provoked widespread condemnation from Republican figures. Former Vice President Mike Pence called it wrong for Trump “to give a white nationalist, an antisemite and Holocaust denier, a seat at the table.” David Friedman, Trump’s former ambassador to Israel, likewise denounced the meeting.
Carlson himself has long been known for courting controversy on his platforms. He has hosted Holocaust revisionists in the past and has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel. His recent cordial conversation with Fuentes on his podcast reignited fierce debate among conservatives, leaving many in the party divided over how far free speech should extend within their ranks.
{Matzav.com}
