Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) denounced Nick Fuentes for “hateful rhetoric” that he says does not represent conservatives or Americans in any way during an appearance on Meet the Press on Sunday morning.
Moderator Kristen Welker ended her interview with Lankford by asking about Fuentes, after his recent appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show sparked a heated debate online and within conservative circles about his beliefs — and whether programs should have him on at all.
“A lot of people thought it was a very chummy, friendly podcast,” Welker said about Carlson’s interview with Fuentes. “Fuentes is a white nationalist. He has expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler. As the co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Fore for Combatting Anti-Semitism, do you believe there is room in the Republican Party for Nick Fuentes or anyone who shares his ideology?”
“No, I don’t. 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,” Lankford said. “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. If you want to trace back our lineage, it goes all the way back to George Washington, [in] 1970, writing 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. From the beginning of our country, we have welcomed every faith in this country. But we have absolutely strongly opposed anti-semitism and should continue to be able to do that and make it clear.”
Fuentes has repeatedly criticized Jews and Israel during over the past several years. The conservative movement, he said earlier this week, is “being held hostage by lunatic Israel-First Jews literally screaming about Hitler and Nazis.” He said “All patriots need to stand up to these ethno-narcissistic bullies and them them enough is enough.”
That comment came a week after his appearance on Carlson’s program. Conservative media star Ben Shapiro ripped the interview, saying it was fine to talk to anyone, but that Carlson “decided to normalize and fluff” Fuentes.
Carlson scoffed at the critics, saying they are “not my editor.”
Watch Lankford’s answer above, via NBC.
