Trump’s comments about Fuentes and Carlson could prolong GOP row over anti-Semitism

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump doesn’t like someone, he knows how to show it. In just the past few days, he has called Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a traitor, mocked Rep. Thomas Massie’s second marriage after the death of his first wife and called for comedian Seth Meyers to be fired from his late-night TV show.

But he didn’t have anything bad to say about two people roiling his party: white nationalist Nick Fuentes and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. The former Fox News host hosted Fuentes for a friendly interview, where he declined to challenge his guest’s bigoted beliefs or comment about problems with “organized Jewry in America.”

When asked about the controversy that has been raging among Republicans for weeks, Trump did not criticize Fuentes and praised Carlson for “saying good things about me over the years.”

The president’s answer reflects his long-standing reluctance to disavow — and sometimes his willingness to embrace — right-wing figures who have worked their way from the political fringe into the Republican mainstream.

“We are disappointed in President Trump,” said Morton Klein, president of the conservative Zionist Organization of America, adding that he should “rethink and step back” from his comments.

The threat of anti-Semitism, which has permeated across the political spectrum, is likely to become a recurring political issue in the coming year, as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress in the midterm elections. Although Trump has targeted left-wing activity on campus as a hive of anti-Jewish sentiment, Fuentes’ influence is a test of how far conservatives are willing to accommodate fanatics as part of their political coalition.

A prominent conservative group is facing anti-Semitism controversy

The turmoil has already engulfed the Heritage Foundation, a leading think tank whose president, Kevin Roberts, initially refused to distance himself from Carlson. Heritage Board of Trustees member Robert George announced his resignation on Monday, following the recent decision by the Anti-Semitism Task Force to sever its ties with the organization.

Despite Roberts’ apology, George said “we’ve reached an impasse” because he had not fully backed away from his original support for Carlson.

He watches: Tucker Carlson’s interview with anti-Semite Nick Fuentes reveals discord among Republicans

“I pray that Heritage’s research and advocacy will be guided by the conviction that every member of the human family, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or anything else, as created in the image of God, is an ‘equal creature’ and ‘endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,’” George wrote on Facebook, citing the Declaration of Independence.

Lori Cardoza Moore, a conservative evangelical activist and film producer, joined Heritage’s anti-Semitism task force in June, but withdrew when Roberts refused to resign.

“If we are not firm in condemning anti-Semitism, shame on us,” she said Monday.

Cardoza-Moore praised Trump’s record of support for Israel, but said he made a mistake on Sunday when he spoke about Carlson and Fuentes.

“We can all agree — and hope — that he would have gone further,” she said.

It is unclear what kind of pressure Trump will face despite his previous dalliance with Fuentes, who dined with the former and future president at his Mar-a-Lago club between his two terms in office.

“I do not believe that President Trump during his first or second term could have acted more forcefully to prevent anti-Semitism,” said Matthew Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition. He pointed to Trump’s move of the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem during his first term and, more recently, to the president’s handling of the war in Gaza.

Trump’s comments may prolong the rift between Republicans

This is not the first time that Trump has avoided criticizing fringe elements on the right. During his first campaign for president, Trump initially refused to disavow support of white nationalist David Duke, saying, “I don’t know anything about him.”

He claimed that there were “very fine people on both sides” during the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. While running for re-election, he told the extremist Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”

Trump’s unwillingness to convict Fuentes or Carlson would prolong the rift within the Republican Party. On Sunday, as he prepared to return to Washington from a weekend in Florida, Trump praised Carlson and said, “You can’t tell him who’s going to interview.”

“If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes — I don’t know much about him — but if he wants to do it, let him spread the word,” Trump said. “People have to decide.”

Fuentes was impressed by what he heard, posting “Thank you, Mr. President!” On social media.

Trump’s comments run counter to a wave of objections that have poured in from key Republicans. This issue will be the focus of a planned meeting of pro-Israel conservative leaders on Tuesday in Washington under the title “Exposing and Combating Extremism and Anti-Semitism on the Political Right.”

Participating in the event are US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, and Kline of the Zionist Organization of America.

This event has been discussed for some time, Perkins said. “But with the recent comments from people like Tucker, there was an urgent need to move forward and hold the conference,” he added.

Likewise, the Republican Jewish Coalition’s recent annual summit in Las Vegas focused on condemning anti-Semitism within the party, a shift from original plans to celebrate the Gaza ceasefire and the return of hostages held by Hamas.

“We are at this point in what I consider to be kind of the early stages of an undeclared civil war within the Republican Party, with respect to Israel and anti-Semitism and the Jewish community,” Brooks said at the time.

“Our real challenge will be to get ahead of combating this before it has a chance to grow and spread in the Republican Party,” Brooks said.

During one portion of the convention, college students waved red signs that read “Tucker is not MAGA.”

Trump addressed the summit via a pre-recorded video, using his time to tout his administration’s support for Israel. He did not mention the controversy that dominated the conference.

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.