During a quick alternate with reporters, Diddy-requested-a-pardon/”>Donald Trump selected unusually cautious phrasing when recalling a 2022 dinner with Kanye West. He referred to him solely as “somebody” earlier than finally naming him. His response got here as journalists pressed him about Tucker Carlson’s latest interview with Nick Fuentes. This renewed consideration to Trump’s previous encounters with the far-right commentator.

Trump revisited the Mar-a-Lago dinner with attribute brevity. “I didn’t know he was coming, and he was with, as you know, somebody. Kanye. Kanye asked if he could have dinner, and he brought Nick,” he mentioned. The feedback, revealed by TMZ, framed the assembly as an surprising drop-in. It was not a deliberate gathering, a distinction Trump emphasised as political scrutiny intensified.

Asked about Carlson’s choice to interview Fuentes, Trump largely shrugged it off. “We’ve had some great interviews with Tucker Carlson, but you can’t tell him who to interview,” he mentioned. “If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes — I don’t know much about him, but if that’s what he wants to do, let him. Ultimately, people have to decide.” The response contrasted sharply with condemnation from lawmakers. This included Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, who referred to as the interview “appalling” on X.

Kanye West’s Shifting Public Stance

Kanye West’s earlier ties to Fuentes loomed massive throughout his transient presidential bid. It was a time marked by a sequence of antisemitic remarks that drew widespread backlash. Recently, nevertheless, West has begun trying to restore these fractures. Earlier this month, he met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto in what he described as an effort to take accountability for previous habits. “I was dealing with various issues, including bipolar disorder, and I often neglected the impact of my actions on those around me,” West mentioned in a video of their dialog.

His latest outreach suggests a need to rebuild relationships and reposition himself after years of controversy. However, the extent to which his efforts resonate—both politically or culturally—stays unsure.