By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Heritage Foundation’s president, Kevin Roberts, has defended podcaster Nick Fuentes, who has made antisemitic remarks and praised Hitler, as a member of the conservative coalition. This decision signals a shift in the movement, seemingly accepting overt antisemitism as a legitimate political stance. This move follows Tucker Carlson’s interview with Fuentes, which has been criticized and led to discussions about antisemitism within the GOP, potentially leading to a civil war. The situation highlights the complex dynamics within the right, where the emphasis on avoiding “cancel culture” hinders efforts to distance themselves from individuals like Fuentes.
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The GOP’s top think tank just defended an open Nazi. It’s almost hard to know where to begin, but the headline says it all. The Heritage Foundation, a cornerstone of the modern conservative movement, seems to have embraced, or at least defended, Nick Fuentes. And the guy’s an open Nazi. He has publicly praised Hitler and called for the death penalty for Jewish people. You’d think that’d be a pretty clear line in the sand, but apparently not for the Heritage Foundation’s president, Kevin Roberts.
Instead of denouncing Fuentes as the hate-monger he is, Roberts released a video saying that Fuentes should be welcomed into the political coalition. He frames it as a matter of debate, like reasonable people can disagree about whether Hitler was good. It’s hard to find the words to express the level of jaw-dropping absurdity here. The Heritage Foundation isn’t just a think tank; it’s become a swamp generator, churning out justifications for the unacceptable.
Of course, this isn’t exactly breaking news. This isn’t the first time the right-wing has cozied up to Nazis. The GOP’s association with Fuentes has been ongoing for years. This is a pattern, not an outlier. Figures like Fuentes are, sadly, a key element of their coalition. Many within the GOP, especially younger staffers, seem to be big fans of Fuentes. It’s just more proof that the Republican Party has gone from conservative to something else entirely. They are either comprised of, or at least actively tolerating, the kind of people who find white supremacy and antisemitism palatable.
The Heritage Foundation’s actions are unsurprising, but that doesn’t make them any less appalling. The fact that they can’t bring themselves to unequivocally condemn someone who openly admires Hitler and calls for violence against Jewish people is a serious indictment of where the Republican party is right now. It is a party that actively defends those who embrace white nationalism, antisemitism, and other forms of hate.
It’s disturbing, but this is the reality we face. The Republican party has been steadily moving in this direction for years, and now they are openly embracing people who proudly espouse Nazi ideology. We are past the point of being shocked. It’s become a matter of recognizing the danger and fighting back against it. This is more than just bad politics; it’s an existential threat.
The defense of Fuentes is just the latest example of how far the Republican Party has fallen. This is not about disagreeing on policy; this is about basic morality. This isn’t a political debate, it’s a moral failure. If you are sitting at a table with a Nazi and no one is trying to throw him out, you are in a Nazi bar.
The situation is worsened by the fact that influential conservative donors, like the Texas billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, who have in the past distanced themselves from Fuentes, are still investing in the same type of rhetoric. They are funding groups that promote right-wing agendas even after being associated with Fuentes.
The fact that the GOP is unable to distance themselves from such figures is a sign of a deeper rot, a moral and ideological decay. We are seeing a blurring of lines that once seemed clear, and a normalization of views that should never be tolerated. This is a moment of crisis, and it requires a strong and unwavering response. They claim to be against antisemitism, but their actions speak volumes.
The implications of all of this are deeply troubling. The GOP seems to be heading down a dangerous path, and the Heritage Foundation’s defense of Fuentes is a clear signpost along that path. This is a moment that demands clarity, courage, and a resolute commitment to fighting for the values that are under attack. It’s time to recognize the truth and act accordingly. The GOP has chosen its side, and it’s not the side of decency, tolerance, or American values.