Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) condemned the “hateful rhetoric” of far-right nationalist Nick Fuentes, who, the senator said, does not represent the values of the Republican Party.
In an interview Sunday on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” moderator Kristen Welker asked the conservative senator about a recent interview that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson conducted with Fuentes, calling the far-right figure “a white nationalist” who “has expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler.”
“Do you believe there is room in the Republican Party for Nick Fuentes or anyone who shares his ideology?” Welker asked, noting Lankford’s position as co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism.
“No, I don’t,” Lankford responded. “That’s not a conservative ideology at all. That’s a hateful rhetoric that’s inconsistent with even the United States Constitution, not just inconsistent with the Republican Party.“
“So no, that’s not who we are,” he continued. “The Republican Party and conservatism has stood up for decades and decades for all individuals.”
The devout Christian, who was a minister before he was elected to the Senate, said the country’s history of accepting people of all religions can be traced back to George Washington, who wrote to a Jewish congregation in 1790, “to what he called the ‘children of the stock of Abraham,’ that they would live in peace with the people around them. They would live under their own vine, their own fig tree, and not be afraid,” Lankford said.
“From the beginning of our country, we have welcomed every faith in this country,” Lankford continued. “But we have absolutely strongly opposed antisemitism and should continue to be able to do that and make it clear.”
Carlson’s decision to host Fuentes has sparked widespread debate across the political right, most notably at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
Heritage President Kevin Roberts became the target of another round of negative headlines when he initially voiced support for Carlson over the interview before later apologizing and explaining that the organization does not condone Fuentes or his views.
Carlson, a favorite commentator of President Trump, has defended hosting Fuentes. Since leaving Fox News, he has used his online show and media company to host a number of controversial guests.
