Trump defends Carlson interviewing Holocaust denier Fuentes

President Trump defended Tucker Carlson on Nov. 16, 2025, after Carlson interviewed Nick Fuentes—a 27-year-old white nationalist who denies the Holocaust—on his podcast in late Oct.. Trump told reporters at Palm Beach International Airport, "Tucker said good things about me over the years. 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 condemn Fuentes's Holocaust denial.

Nick Fuentes leads the groyper movement, whose followers work to preserve America's white, Christian identity. The ADL identifies Fuentes as a white supremacist and antisemite. He's repeatedly denied the Holocaust, saying in 2021, "The six million cookies didn't burn"—mocking Holocaust victims. In 2022, Fuentes said "the Holocaust is a cookie" and questioned whether Jews were gassed in concentration camps. He's called for a "holy war" against Jews and says women shouldn't vote or work outside the home.

The interview split the Heritage Foundation, a major conservative think tank. President Kevin Roberts initially defended Carlson's interview, saying he was "unnerved" by pushback. But after staffers expressed outrage, Roberts reversed course and denounced Fuentes's views in a memo. Five Heritage board members resigned over Roberts's initial defense. Conservative commentators Laura Loomer and Megyn Kelly also criticized Carlson for platforming Fuentes.

Trump has a documented history with Fuentes. On Nov. 22, 2022, Trump hosted Fuentes and Kanye West for dinner at Mar-a-Lago. 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. The Jan. 6 committee subpoenaed him, but he refused to cooperate. He was outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but wasn't charged.

Fuentes thanked Trump for the defense, posting "Thank you Mr. President!" with video of Trump's interaction with reporters. This is at least the second time Trump hasn't condemned 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—explicitly saying Carlson should be able to interview whoever he wants and "people have to decide."