Conservatives are clashing after Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host, interviewed far-right white supremacist Nick Fuentes on his podcast. The episode has deepened divisions over support for Israel and antisemitism within the right.
During the podcast, Carlson criticised Republicans such as Ted Cruz, George W. Bush and Mike Huckabee as 'Christian Zionists' with a 'brain virus'. Fuentes, who has previously expressed admiration for Hitler and claimed Jews control the US, said 'organised Jewry' held outsized influence and praised Joseph Stalin.
Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, defended Carlson, stating he 'remains a close friend'. Roberts argued that Christians can critique Israel without being antisemitic and opposed calls to cancel Carlson or Fuentes, saying 'cancelling him is not the answer'.
The response has angered some supporters and groups. Senator Ted Cruz called the interview 'cowardly and complicit in evil', while the Republican Jewish Coalition's CEO Matt Brooks said he was 'appalled, offended and disgusted'. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged Heritage Foundation allies to disavow the 'dangerous mainstreaming of hateful ideologies'.
Conservative media outlets like the Washington Free Beacon and National Review have also criticised Carlson for platforming Fuentes without challenging his views. Fuentes later posted a video telling Jews to 'get the f— out of America' and declaring 'we are done with the Jewish oligarchy'.
