As his motorcade departed Palm Beach for Washington D.C. Sunday evening, former President Trump faced a barrage of questions from the assembled press.
A reporter immediately pressed him on Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with Nick Fuentes, a figure known for his far-right and anti-Semitic views, attempting to draw a critical response.
Trump, however, deflected the pointed inquiry, stating he’d always found Carlson to be a positive voice. He acknowledged Carlson had spoken favorably of him in the past and highlighted their history of engaging interviews.
The former President firmly asserted the principle of journalistic independence, arguing that Carlson should be free to choose his guests. He admitted limited knowledge of Fuentes, but maintained that the public should be allowed to form their own judgments.
The questioning shifted to a past encounter: a dinner at Mar-a-Lago where Fuentes had been present. The reporter again sought to elicit a condemnation, asking what role Fuentes should have within the conservative movement.
Trump explained that Fuentes had been a guest of Kanye West, who requested his inclusion for the meal. He emphasized he hadn’t known Fuentes was attending beforehand, and that he’d simply been accommodating West’s request.
He characterized such interactions as part of the process for figures like Carlson, who routinely engage with a wide range of individuals, including those considered controversial. Trump then offered a self-deprecating remark, stating he personally preferred to avoid controversy.
The exchange underscored Trump’s tendency to navigate potentially damaging questions with a combination of deflection, justification, and a focus on individual liberty, even when confronted with figures widely condemned for their beliefs.
