CNN 5 Things One Thing: How a Holocaust Denier Sparked a MAGA Civil War
Nov 9, 2025
Will Sommer, Senior Reporter at The Bulwark, dives into the tumult caused by Tucker Carlson's interview with Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier and rising MAGA figure. He highlights the GOP's struggle to address the influence of such extremists, particularly among young Republicans. Sommer also discusses the Heritage Foundation's fallout and broader anti-Semitism in right-wing media. As tensions rise within the party, he examines how online radicalization and Trump-era norms complicate efforts to distance from these divisive voices.
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Fringe Figure Brought Toward Respectability
- Tucker Carlson invited Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier, onto his show and framed the interview as friendly image laundering.
- That appearance moved Fuentes from the fringes toward mainstream visibility within parts of the MAGA ecosystem.
Institutional Ambivalence Amplifies Fallout
- Heritage Foundation's sponsorship and handling of Carlson's show deepened the controversy and revealed institutional ambivalence.
- Their initial defense then quiet edits and apologies exposed internal conflict over platforming Fuentes.
Far-Right Views Reach Young Republican Ranks
- Prominent right-wing media figures like Candace Owens amplify anti-Israel and anti-Semitic narratives to massive audiences.
- Leaks from Young Republicans and staffer scandals show those views have penetrated party ranks at younger levels.