Slate Daily Feed What Next: TBD | The Nick Fuentes Problem
Nov 7, 2025
Ali Breland, a staff writer at The Atlantic focusing on politics and technology, delves into the controversial figure of Nick Fuentes, known for his antisemitic and racist rhetoric. The discussion uncovers how Fuentes has gained traction online and the implications of Tucker Carlson’s interview with him. Breland highlights the division within conservative circles about engaging with Fuentes and examines the rise of his loyal followers, the Groypers. She analyzes whether Fuentes’s ideas are being accepted within the mainstream right and predicts his potential influence in future political landscapes.
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Firewall Against Fuentes Is Crumbling
- Nick Fuentes moved from fringe online figure to being engaged by mainstream conservative media, signaling a breakdown of prior taboos.
- Tucker Carlson's interview marked a moment where the firewall against Fuentes began to crumble within parts of the GOP.
Clippable Rhetoric Fueled Reach
- Fuentes built influence by livestreaming hateful rhetoric while mastering lucid, highly clippable delivery.
- His speaking skill and viral clips helped grow a dedicated online movement called Groypers.
Groypers: Small But Mighty Mobilizers
- Fuentes' followers, the Groypers, act as a mobilized online and offline pressure group to harass opponents and shift conservative figures rightward.
- Their small-but-mighty presence has successfully pushed figures like Charlie Kirk toward more extreme positions.