WASHINGTON — In the Republican universe, there is an ongoing debate about former Fox News host Tucker Carlson embracing white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. It was such a crisis that even the far-right Heritage Foundation, which crafted "Project 2025" is in full crisis mode, CNN described.
While Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to bring his members back to Washington, U.S. Senators are working on Capitol Hill. Raw Story caught up with a few to ask what they think of when they hear Nick Fuentes' name.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was headed into the Capitol for a Thursday evening vote when Raw Story caught him outside. His answer was simple: "Nazi."
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) called balderdash when Raw Story told him that Republicans on the Hill have suddenly forgotten who Fuentes is.
“Come on!” Murphy shouted as he walked past a Capitol Police security checkpoint on his way to vote.
“He’s one of the most celebrated figures in the Republican movement. I mean, come on," he added.
In fact, when Raw Story faced off against Republicans, some found creative ways to, metaphorically, race in the opposite direction
“You can call my Comms. Director,” Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) said when Raw Story questioned her about the far-right activist and friend of rapper Kanye West, who dined with President Donald Trumpat Mar-a-Lago last November.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) sought help from his staff.
"I don't know, why?" he asked when Raw Story asked what he thought of Fuentes.
“He's up in the news because Tucker Carlson had him on,” Raw Story explained.
“Who is he?” the senator asked the nearby aide.
“Some Nazi Hitler apologist,” the young, white, male staffer said without hesitation.
“Where do I know him?” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) asked Raw Story later Thursday. “I don’t know him.”
Raw Story pressed, noting that he seemed not to be part of the Republican Party.
Suddenly, Schmitt remembered Fuentes enough to agree, "That is true. That is true."
One Republican Senator didn't want to answer on the record, saying, "Oh, I'm not going to answer that one."
When Raw Story assured them anonymity, they replied, "I don't get every answer right, but [I'm] gonna get that one right!"