A fiery exchange unfolded on CNN’s “NewsNight” on October 27, 2023, as former Democratic lawmaker Bakari Sellers confronted the influence of white nationalist Nick Fuentes within the Republican Party. The debate escalated when Katie Miller, wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller, clashed with CNN host Abby Philip over the implications of Fuentes’ presence in conservative circles.
The confrontation began when Sellers criticized prominent MAGA figures for not distancing themselves from Fuentes, who he described as having “the pulse of the Republican base.” He remarked, “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.” This assertion prompted a swift response from Miller, who vehemently disagreed.
Miller challenged Sellers’ claims, asserting, “Nick does not have the pulse of the Republican base. It’s what Democrats want to say to divide the Republican base.” She defended Vice President JD Vance for not criticizing Tucker Carlson for inviting Fuentes onto his podcast. The debate intensified as Miller confronted Philip directly, referencing previous guests on the show.
“You had Jennifer Welch on your show very often, and you never pushed back,” Miller said. Welch, a liberal podcaster, has faced criticism from Miller for labeling her husband a white nationalist. Miller added, “She called my husband a white nationalist – that is no different than Nick Fuentes going on Tucker Carlson’s show.”
Philip challenged Miller’s comparison, responding, “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, “Excuse me!” She went on to argue that if Fuentes is allowed to express his views, then there should be no objection to his media appearances.
“It’s not different, Abby, it’s not,” Miller insisted. Philip countered, emphasizing that the Republican Party must confront the voices within its ranks. “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?” she asked.
This debate follows a previous incident where Miller made headlines for a controversial remark about Karine Jean-Pierre, the former press secretary for President Biden. In that instance, she claimed Jean-Pierre’s relevance was solely based on her race and sexuality, which drew significant backlash.
As tensions rise within American politics, particularly around issues of race and nationalism, this exchange highlights the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party to address divisive figures like Fuentes. The discussions on CNN reflect broader societal debates, prompting questions about accountability and the future direction of the GOP.
