Former U.S. President Donald Trump briefly dodged mentioning Kanye West by name on Sunday night as he fielded questions from reporters about Tucker Carlson’s controversial interview with far-right figure Nick Fuentes. The moment, captured by TMZ, added a new twist to a long-running saga that began in 2022 when West unexpectedly brought Fuentes to dinner at Mar-a-Lago — a meeting that sparked political uproar and widespread media coverage.
When a reporter asked Trump how he felt about Carlson choosing to interview Fuentes, the former president chose his words carefully. Rather than immediately naming West, Trump referred to him vaguely as “somebody,” a subtle distancing gesture that did not go unnoticed.
“I didn’t know he was coming, and he was with, as you know, somebody. Kanye,” Trump eventually clarified. “Kanye asked if he could have dinner, and he brought Nick. I didn’t know Nick at the time.”
Trump then downplayed the significance of the dinner and of Carlson’s decision to interview Fuentes, casting both situations as examples of public figures interacting with a wide range of personalities. “Meeting people, talking to people — like for somebody like Tucker, that’s what they do,” Trump said. “You know, people are controversial. Some are; some aren’t. I’m not controversial, so I like it that way,” he added with characteristic irony.
Pressed further about Carlson’s sit-down with Fuentes — which has drawn fierce condemnation from lawmakers, political commentators, and Jewish organizations — Trump insisted he had no issue with the former Fox News host’s decision.
“We’ve had some great interviews with Tucker Carlson, but you can’t tell him who to interview,” Trump told reporters. “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, let him. Ultimately, people have to decide.”
Trump’s comments reflect a consistent pattern from the former president: distancing himself from controversial extremists while avoiding outright condemnation of their actions or viewpoints. In 2022, after the explosive Mar-a-Lago dinner that placed Fuentes in national headlines, Trump similarly claimed ignorance of Fuentes’ background and ideology.
Trump Sidesteps Mentioning Kanye West While Addressing Tucker Carlson–Nick Fuentes Interview Backlash
While Trump may be willing to shrug off Carlson’s latest interview choice, many other leaders in Washington have not. The backlash has been swift and intense.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a sharply worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling Carlson’s decision to give Fuentes a platform “appalling” and warning that mainstream amplification of extremist voices poses real dangers. Other lawmakers across both political parties have echoed similar sentiments, arguing that interviewing Fuentes normalizes extremist ideas and undermines efforts to combat hate and misinformation.
The incident has once again thrust Kanye West into the spotlight. West and Fuentes developed an association during West’s brief and tumultuous 2022 presidential bid, a campaign defined more by controversy than political structure. During that period, West repeatedly made headlines for antisemitic remarks, bizarre public appearances, and erratic political messaging.
Fuentes, known for his far-right ideology and history of inflammatory statements, became a visible figure within West’s orbit for several months. Their partnership was widely criticized and ultimately contributed to the collapse of West’s political aspirations and significant damage to his public image.
In recent months, West has made attempts to distance himself from his earlier rhetoric and repair the harm caused by his antisemitic comments. Earlier in November, he met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto in what he described as an effort to “take accountability.”
In a video documenting their meeting, West reflected on his conduct, saying:
“I was dealing with various issues. I was dealing with bipolar also, so I would take the ideas I had and forget about the protection of the people around me and myself. So I wanted to take accountability.”
The gesture has sparked mixed reactions. Some observers see it as a step toward reconciliation, while others view it as a strategic move to restore his public standing after years of self-inflicted crises.
Trump’s reluctance to fully acknowledge Kanye West’s name, combined with his neutral stance on Carlson’s interview, underscores the broader political tightrope he continues to walk. The former president is attempting to maintain influence among conservative media figures while avoiding entanglement with fringe personalities whose views could alienate moderates or complicate his political ambitions.
Meanwhile, Carlson’s interview with Fuentes has reignited national debate over platforming extremist voices — and renewed scrutiny of the public figures connected to them.
As the political and cultural fallout continues, one thing remains clear: the intersection of Trump, West, Carlson, and Fuentes continues to be a flashpoint in America’s ongoing struggle over extremism, accountability, and the boundaries of public discourse.
Source- hotnewhiphop
