FROM AP NEWS: President Donald Trump on Sunday brushed aside concerns about conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with a far-right activist known for his antisemitic views, which has caused a schism within the Republican Party.
Trump defended Carlson, saying the former Fox News host has “said good things about me over the years.” He said if Carlson wants to interview Nick Fuentes, whose followers see themselves as working to preserve America’s white, Christian identity, then “people have to decide.” Trump did not criticize Carlson or Fuentes.
Fuentes appeared to appreciate Trump’s sentiment, posting “Thank you Mr. President!” along with video of his interaction with reporters.
Carlson had an amiable sit-down on his podcast last month with Fuentes that touched off a controversy among conservatives. It roiled the Heritage Foundation, where the president of the right-wing think tank defended Carlson for his interview, drawing outrage from staffers. Heritage President Kevin Roberts later denounced Fuentes’ views.
Trump was preparing to fly back to Washington from a weekend in Florida when he was asked about 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,” Trump said. “People have to decide.”
At one point, Trump was irritated with a reporter from Bloomberg who interrupted his comments calling her “the worst” and saying he didn’t know why the publication keeps her around.
Journalist Eric Daugherty chronicled more of the commentary in a pair of posts on X. He wrote:
TRUMP: “I don’t know much about him. But if he wants to do it? Get the word out. People have to decide.”
“You can’t tell him who to interview.”
REPORTER: You met Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago…what role could Fuentes play in the conservative movement?
TRUMP: “I didn’t know he was coming…he was with Kanye. He brought Nick. Didn’t know Nick. He came, with other people.”
🚨 JUST NOW: President Trump says to let Tucker Carlson 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.”
“You can’t tell him who to interview.”
REPORTER: You met Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago…what role could… pic.twitter.com/hKtWX7Qvto
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 16, 2025
Q: “Tucker Carlson had an interview with antisemite Nick Fuentes. What role should Carlson play in the conservative movement?”
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “Well, I found him to be good. I mean, he said good things about me over the years. I think he’s good. We’ve had some good interviews.”
“You can’t tell him who to interview. I mean, 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. Ultimately, people have to decide.”
Q: “You met Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago…what role should he play in the conservative movement?”
TRUMP: “Well, I didn’t know he was coming and he was with, as you know, somebody, Kanye. And Kanye asked if he could have dinner and he brought Nick. I didn’t know Nick at the time.”
“And he did. He came along with a few other people. He brought a few people with him.”
“Meeting people, talking to people like for somebody like Tucker, that’s what they do. You know, people are controversial. Some are, some aren’t. I’m not controversial, so I like it that way.”
🚨 Q: “Tucker Carlson had an interview with antisemite Nick Fuentes. What role should Carlson play in the conservative movement?”
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “Well, I found him to be good. I mean, he said good things about me over the years. I think he’s good. We’ve had some good… pic.twitter.com/rUYt1DxVi9
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 17, 2025
READ MORE AT AP NEWS
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