President Donald Trump on Sunday offered a robust defense of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, asserting that audiences should be allowed to hear controversial viewpoints and make their own judgments. Speaking to reporters before departing for Washington on Air Force One, Trump framed Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes as an exercise in journalistic curiosity rather than a political endorsement.
“Well, I found him to be good. I mean, he said good things about me over the years. He’s, I think he’s good. We’ve had some good interviews. I did an interview with him, we were at 300 million hits, you know that,” Trump told reporters, reflecting on his previous interactions with Carlson.
The interview, which has sparked intense debate within Republican circles, drew criticism from some conservative institutions, most notably the Heritage Foundation. The think tank, which has played a central role in the Project 2025 initiative, initially voiced support for Carlson. Heritage President Kevin Roberts later issued an apology after facing backlash, emphasizing that the organization does not condone Fuentes or his views.
Trump, however, made clear that Carlson should not be constrained in his editorial decisions. “We’ve had some great interviews with Tucker Carlson, but you can’t tell him who to interview. I mean, if he wants to interview Nick Fuentes — I don’t know much about him — but if he wants to do it, get the word out. You know, people have to decide. Ultimately, people have to decide,” the president said.
Carlson himself has maintained that his goal is understanding, not advocacy. Speaking to former Fox host Megyn Kelly earlier this month, Carlson explained, “You may think I’m a terrible person. OK. I’m just doing my thing, which is: I want to understand what people think. And I’m committed to that. And if you don’t like it, don’t watch. That’s my view.”
Trump also addressed his own past encounter with Fuentes, a dinner at Mar-a-Lago in 2022 arranged by rapper Kanye West. “Well, I didn’t know he was coming. And he was with, as you know, somebody: Kanye. And Kanye asked if he could have dinner, and he brought Nick. I didn’t know Nick at the time, and he did. He came along with a few other people. He brought a few people with him,” Trump said.
He downplayed any broader political significance of the dinner, framing it as an ordinary instance of meeting new people. “Meeting people, talking to people, like, for somebody like Tucker, that’s what they do. You know, people are controversial. Some are, some aren’t. I’m not controversial. So I like it that way,” he added.
The comments underscore Trump’s broader approach to conservative media and public discourse: providing platforms for discussion while leaving ultimate judgment to viewers. By framing Carlson’s interview as a matter of public discernment, Trump positioned himself as a defender of open debate within the conservative movement, even when that discussion involves figures who provoke controversy.
As Republican leaders navigate the tensions surrounding Fuentes and Carlson, Trump’s statements signal continued support for media figures exercising editorial independence and an emphasis on voter discretion as the arbiter of political legitimacy.
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