A contentious exchange unfolded on CNN’s “NewsNight” on October 27, 2023, as former Democratic lawmaker Bakari Sellers confronted prominent MAGA figures for their failure to disassociate from white nationalist Nick Fuentes. The discussion escalated into a fiery debate involving Katie Miller, wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller, who accused host Abby Philip of hypocrisy during the on-air confrontation.
Sellers initiated the dialogue by asserting that Fuentes continues to wield influence within the Republican Party. He stated, “The fact that we’re even mentioning Nick Fuentes, he’s 4’11, he’s misogynistic, and he’s antisemitic, but yet he is somebody who has the pulse of the Republican base right now.” Miller quickly challenged this assertion, asserting that Fuentes does not represent the Republican base, but rather a narrative pushed by Democrats to create division.
Miller defended Vice President JD Vance for not criticizing Tucker Carlson’s invitation to Fuentes on his podcast, stating, “Nick does not have the pulse of the Republican base.” She then shifted her focus to Philip, accusing her of not challenging liberal podcaster Jennifer Welch, who had previously labeled her husband a white nationalist. Miller stated, “She called my husband a white nationalist – that is no different than Nick Fuentes going on Tucker Carlson’s show.”
Philip, visibly taken aback, responded, “Wait, hold on. How is it similar? It’s not remotely similar at all. Nick Fuentes sits around and says that he likes Hitler. How is that similar?” Miller retorted sharply, arguing that if Fuentes has a right to express his views, then the same should apply to his appearance on Carlson’s show. “It’s not different, Abby, it’s not,” she insisted.
The exchange highlighted the broader challenges within the Republican Party regarding its association with controversial figures. Philip emphasized that the party must determine how it addresses voices like Fuentes, questioning whether it is acceptable for someone encouraging neo-Nazism to have a platform. “Do they care whether or not someone who has a loud voice in their party is bringing on somebody who is encouraging, encouraging neo-Nazism?” Philip asked.
This incident follows a previous appearance by Katie Miller on CNN, where she made headlines after a racially charged comment regarding former Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. During that appearance, she claimed that Jean-Pierre’s relevance was solely due to her race and sexuality, prompting significant backlash.
As the debate over Fuentes and his impact on the Republican Party continues, the exchange serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding race, ideology, and representation within American politics.