November 16, 2025
Trump defends interviewer who platformed Holocaust denier, refusing to condemn white nationalist despite pressure
On Nov. 16, 2025, President Trump defended Tucker Carlson's Oct. 2025 interview with Nick Fuentes, a 27-year-old white nationalist known for Holocaust denial and misogyny. Trump told reporters Carlson "said good things about me over the years" and "you can't tell him who to interview.
" Fuentes leads the "groyper" movement and has repeatedly denied the Holocaust, saying "the six million cookies didn't burn.
" The interview roiled the Heritage Foundation, where President Kevin Roberts defended Carlson before denouncing Fuentes under staff pressure.
Fuentes thanked Trump on social media, posting "Thank you Mr. President!" Trump dined with Fuentes and Kanye West in Nov. 2022 but claimed he didn't know much about him.
President Trump defended Tucker Carlson on Nov. 16, 2025, after Carlson interviewed Nick Fuentes, a 27-year-old white nationalist Holocaust denier, on his podcast in late Oct. 2025. Trump told reporters at Palm Beach International Airport that Carlson has 'said good things about me over the years' and '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.' Trump didn't criticize Carlson or Fuentes. The interview was more than two hours long and touched off controversy among conservatives.
Nick Fuentes leads the groyper movement, whose followers see themselves as working to preserve America's white, Christian identity. The ADL identifies Fuentes as a white supremacist and antisemite. He has repeatedly denied the Holocaust, including saying in 2021, 'The six million cookies didn't burn,' a mockery of Holocaust victims. In 2022, Fuentes said 'the Holocaust is a cookie' and questioned whether Jews were actually gassed in concentration camps. He has called for a 'holy war' against Jews and has said women shouldn't vote or work outside the home.
The interview caused a schism within the Republican Party and the Heritage Foundation, a major conservative think tank. Heritage President Kevin Roberts initially defended Carlson's interview, saying he was 'unnerved' by pushback against it. But after Heritage staffers expressed outrage, Roberts denounced Fuentes's views in a subsequent memo. Several Heritage staffers resigned over Roberts's initial defense of the interview. Conservative commentators Laura Loomer and Megyn Kelly also criticized Carlson for platforming Fuentes.
Trump has a documented history with Fuentes. In Nov. 2022, Trump hosted Fuentes and Kanye West for dinner at Mar-a-Lago, though Trump later said he didn't know who Fuentes was. Fuentes has attended multiple Trump rallies and events. After the 2020 election, Fuentes organized 'Stop the Steal' rallies. He was subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee but refused to cooperate. Fuentes was outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but wasn't charged with any crimes.
Fuentes thanked Trump for the defense, posting 'Thank you Mr. President!' with video of Trump's interaction with reporters. This marks at least the second time Trump has declined to condemn Fuentes. After the 2022 Mar-a-Lago dinner, Trump said he didn't know Fuentes but didn't denounce his views. Trump's 2025 defense goes further by explicitly saying Carlson should be able to interview whoever he wants and 'people have to decide.'
President of the United States
Conservative Commentator, Former Fox News Host
White Nationalist Leader, Holocaust Denier
civic action
Report Holocaust denial content to tech platforms
Major tech platforms have policies against Holocaust denial. Report Fuentes content and accounts that violate these policies.