Trump Meeting White Supremacist Fuentes Not Accidental
- Trump stated that he did not know Nick Fuentes (white supremacist) when Kanye West brought Trump to dinner.
- Gov. Asa Hutchinson claimed that Trump failed to condemn white supremacy, Holocaust denialism.
- Hutchinson, who is often criticized by Trump, said that he might run for president in 2024.
Outgoing Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was one of the first Republicans to vote against Donald Trump’s meeting last week with Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist.
In an interview with CNN Hutchinson has been Arkansas’ governor for two terms. He was asked about Sunday’s meeting at Mar-a-Lago, where Kanye West and Hutchinson were also present.
“Well, I hope one day we won’t have to be responding what President Trump said or did.” Hutchinson acknowledged Dana Bash’s mention of Hutchinson’s time as an American attorney who prosecuted members of the racist militia.
“The last time that I met with a white supremacist was during an armed standoff. We arrested them and prosecuted them. They were sent to prison with a bulletproof vest. Hutchinson stated that it wasn’t a good idea to have a leader who’s setting an example for the nation or party to meet with a professed racist or antisemite. He also said leaders should not empower extremists.
Trump stated that he would be having dinner with West. However, the rapper brought with him several people including Fuentes. Fuentes, a 24-year old activist and podcaster, is well-known for sharing racist views and antisemitic views. The Justice Department has described Fuentes as a “white-supremacist”. He was present at the “Unite the Right” rally in 2017, where a neo Nazi killed a counterprotester.
—Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 27, 2022
Trump claimed that he didn’t know Fuentes or knew anything about him. But he hasn’t condemned the opinions Fuentes shares in Truth Social posts.
“It is possible to have accidental meetings. Hutchinson stated that such things can happen. “This was not an accident meeting. It was a dinner set up with Kanye.
The governor stated that leaders must be clear that white supremacy is unacceptable and that denying the Holocaust should not be tolerated. He also noted that Trump’s failure to condemn it was an indication of an “extreme minority” in the GOP.
Hutchinson was unable to run for reelection in 2022 because of term limits. He has been a frequent critic for Trump, dismissing election fraud claims, and calling him the person responsible for the Capitol Riot. He stated in August that he was contemplating running for the Republican presidential nominee in 2024. Trump made his intentions to run earlier in the month.
While most elected Republicans don’t condemn Trump’s meeting at Fuentes, other potential 2024 hopefuls, including former New Jersey Governor, have spoken out. Former Chris Christie Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Insider requested comment from Trump’s Office but was not immediately re-embarked.