Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has raised significant concerns regarding the emergence of antisemitic figures within the conservative movement, specifically referencing the recent endorsement of neo-Nazi influencer Nick Fuentes on Tucker Carlson’s podcast. In an interview, Hawley emphasized the unacceptability of such rhetoric, stating, “Let’s just call it for what it is, let’s not sugarcoat it. That’s not who we are as Republicans, as conservatives.” He reiterated the necessity for conservatives to distance themselves from those espousing such views, reminding that such opinions should not define the party.
Hawley, who has been a proponent for an aggressive stance against antisemitism, particularly in educational environments, drew parallels between the antisemitic sentiments expressed on college campuses following the Hamas attacks on October 7 and Fuentes’ comments. He further stressed that the party must confront and reject these ideologies, calling them “morally repulsive.”
Others in the GOP echoed Hawley’s sentiments. Senator James Lankford (R-OK), co-chair of the Senate antisemitism task force, expressed his astonishment at the Heritage Foundation’s leadership defending Carlson and Fuentes. He underscored the danger of allowing such antisemitic views to proliferate within the party, advocating for a strong repudiation of these sentiments. Lankford cautioned that conservative leaders must firmly establish that the Republican Party does not condone antisemitism or embrace harmful stereotypes about Jewish people.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) contributed similar assertions by underlining the Republican Party’s commitment to standing against antisemitism and in support of Israel, distinguishing the party’s values from what he characterized as Democratic associations with antisemitism.
Moreover, the discussion has also triggered a backlash against the Heritage Foundation, notably with Rabbi Yaakov Menken resigning from its antisemitism initiative in protest against the organization’s defense of Carlson. This resignation is part of a larger trend, as multiple Jewish advocacy groups have distanced themselves from Heritage’s efforts to combat antisemitism.
In light of these developments, the GOP faces a critical moment, demanding bold leadership to counteract the rise of antisemitism within its ranks, aiming to ensure that such views do not become normalized or accepted. The ongoing discourse signals a push for a renewed, uncompromising stance against hate, suggesting hope for a constructive and inclusive future in which all forms of intolerance are clearly rejected.