Nick Fuentes Gains Influence After Returning to Social Media
Conservatives Divided: Acceptance or Rejection?
Nick Fuentes, a 27-year-old far-right influencer in the United States who has resumed his activities on social networking services (SNS), is once again at the center of controversy.
On November 8 (local time), The Washington Post (WP) analyzed, "Four years ago, Fuentes was shunned by the mainstream conservative camp, but now he has become a symbol of the debate over the direction of the conservative movement."
Fuentes has labeled immigrants and Jewish conservatives as "threats to white society," and has faced sanctions on multiple platforms for his broadcasts containing racist claims and hate speech. He has even openly stated, "I admire Adolf Hitler."
Recently, however, he has been expanding his presence by increasing his followers, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). He recently appeared on conservative commentator Tucker Carlson's podcast, where he gave an interview criticizing Jewish groups. The video sparked a major reaction, garnering millions of views.
The conservative camp was sharply divided over this interview. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro strongly criticized Carlson for allowing Fuentes' claims to go unchallenged, saying that he "legitimized hate." On the other hand, some conservative figures countered that "the conservative base is changing rapidly, and the existing leadership is uneasy about Fuentes receiving national attention."
Even within the Heritage Foundation, a leading think tank in American conservatism, internal disagreements have arisen, and the debate is spreading to issues of power and the foundation of the conservative movement. WP reported, "Fuentes is no longer a fringe figure, but has become a trigger that forces the conservative camp to decide what values it will prioritize going forward."
His relationship with former President Donald Trump is also drawing renewed attention. In 2022, President Trump met with Fuentes, sparking controversy, and later stated he would distance himself. However, some Trump supporters are still said to view Fuentes as a symbol of 'freedom of expression.'
WP predicted that "there is no sign that this debate will end anytime soon," and that conflicts over the future direction of the conservative movement will continue.
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