President Donald Trump pointed fingers at Kanye West for orchestrating the notorious 2022 Mar-a-Lago dinner that included white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

Trump defended the controversial gathering whereas addressing mounting Republican backlash over Tucker Carlson’s current interview with the extremist determine.

Speaking to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport Sunday evening, the President awkwardly referred to the Chicago rapper initially as “somebody” earlier than figuring out him because the individual liable for bringing Fuentes to his Florida property.

“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, 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,” Trump stated.

The feedback got here as Trump defended Tucker Carlson’s choice to platform Fuentes on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” an interview that has created deep divisions inside conservative circles and sparked fierce criticism from Republican leaders.

Carlson’s October 27 podcast episode featured a pleasant two-hour dialog with Fuentes, throughout which the white nationalist promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories and advised that “organized Jewry in America” posed challenges to nationwide unity.

The interview allowed Fuentes to unfold his extremist views largely unchallenged, drawing condemnation from distinguished Republicans, together with Senator Lindsey Graham, who declared himself a part of the “Hitler-sucks wing of the Republican Party.”

The fallout prolonged past political circles into Hollywood, the place actress Dasha Nekrasova confronted extreme skilled penalties for her personal interview with Fuentes.

The “Succession” star was dropped by expertise company Gersh and faraway from the psychological thriller “Iconoclast” after internet hosting Fuentes on her “Red Scare” podcast in October.

The controversy has reignited discussions about antisemitism inside conservative ranks, with Jewish leaders expressing concern in regards to the normalization of extremist rhetoric.

Amy Spitalnick of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs emphasised the necessity for “moral clarity and courage to name this normalization of antisemitism wherever it exists.”

Fuentes, who leads the antisemitic “Groyper” motion, has constructed his platform on Holocaust denial, white nationalist ideology and degrading rhetoric about ladies.

His look on mainstream conservative platforms has drawn criticism for legitimizing extremist viewpoints.

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