Victor Davis Hanson: The Tucker-Fuentes Interview—What Tucker Should’ve Done

Nov 17, 2025

The conversation dives into the fine line between platforming, canceling, and deplatforming in media. Victor Davis Hanson discusses the nuances of inviting controversial figures like Nick Fuentes and the social norms that dictate acceptable discourse. He critiques Tucker Carlson's interviewing tactics, suggesting he could have challenged Fuentes more rigorously. The discussion highlights the risks of hosting extremists and the responsibility of media figures to maintain ethical boundaries in their platforms.

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INSIGHT

Platforming Is A Choice, Not Cancellation

Platforming and canceling are distinct choices about venue, not absolute bans on speech.
Not inviting an extremist is a selection decision within accepted public norms, not automatic cancellation.

INSIGHT

Extremists Often Mask Views To Gain Audiences

Extremists gain exposure because they hone demagogic rhetorical skills over time.
Skilled hosts must expect moderated rhetoric and be prepared for evasive, polished answers.

ANECDOTE

Buckley Modeled How To Debate Extremists

Victor Davis Hanson cites William F. Buckley's debates as examples of skilled engagement with extremists.
Buckley used superior debating technique to contain and expose radical interlocutors like George Wallace.

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Tucker Carlson’s interview with right-wing provocateur podcaster Nick Fuentes has the conservative movement fighting over what the definition of “canceling” is and struggling to determine if there are cases in which it is called for. If so, was the Fuentes interview one of them?

Victor Davis Hanson states there is a fine line between “canceling” and “deplatforming,” and it all has to do with how the platformer handles the issue they’re amplifying. He breaks down this dichotomy and explains where he believes Carlson went wrong on this episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.”

“ When you don't invite Nick Fuentes on your program, it doesn't mean that you're canceling him. It doesn't mean that you're deplatforming him because he's beyond the pale. And you say, ‘Well, who are you to say that, Victor?’ Well, I'm not Victor saying that. There are accepted norms—that you don't use the N-word, or you don't call for people to go back to Israel, if they're Jewish, or you don't make fun of people's race in the public sphere, the way he did. You can do that, of course, under the First Amendment, but you're not invited into acceptable venues to vent those views and to spread hate.”

(0:00) Platforming vs. Canceling
(2:15) Debating Extremists
(3:54) Tucker Carlson's Skills
(4:27) Norms and Boundaries in Media
(5:42) Tucker Carlson's Recent Controversies
(6:54) Conclusion

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