Overview
- President Donald Trump told reporters, “You can’t tell him who to interview,” about Tucker Carlson’s sit-down with Nick Fuentes, adding, “People have to decide,” and saying he doesn’t know much about Fuentes.
- Fuentes posted “Thank you Mr. President!” on X alongside video of Trump’s comments, signaling approval and boosting the message to his followers.
- Heritage Foundation board member Robert P. George resigned Monday, citing the think tank’s failure to fully retract President Kevin Roberts’ video defending Carlson; Roberts had apologized after earlier staff and task force departures.
- Republican figures and Jewish organizations condemned the interview and Trump’s stance, with the ADL calling his refusal to denounce Fuentes “unacceptable,” while some conservatives defended interviewing controversial figures as free speech.
- The dispute stems from Carlson’s late-October podcast with Fuentes and will feature in a Washington gathering on Tuesday focused on exposing and countering extremism and antisemitism on the political right.