The Republican Party continues to struggle with how to manage Mr. Trump: many blame him for their lackluster showing in the midterm elections, but they are also aware that he retains considerable support from his base.
Former vice president of the United States Mike Pence criticized Donald Trump for dining with a white nationalist who denies the Holocaust and the artist formerly known as Kanye West.
Mr. Pence is among a handful of Republicans who have demanded that the former US president apologizes for his “very poor judgment.
Mr. Trump, Mr. Ye, and Nick Fuentes, an antisemitic and white nationalist far-right activist, met at Mar-a-Lago last week.
In an interview with NewsNation on Monday evening, Mr. Pence stated, “I believe President Trump should apologize for giving a white nationalist, antisemite, and Holocaust denier a seat at the table.
And he should unequivocally condemn these folks and their terrible rhetoric.
Mr. Pence, though, claimed that Mr. Trump is neither antisemitic nor racist, stating that he would not have served as his vice president if he were.
Other Republicans who have criticized Mr. Trump include Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who stated, “President Trump’s hosting of racist antisemites for dinner encourages other racist antisemites.
These viewpoints are immoral and should not be supported.
Senator Rick Scott of Florida remarked, “The Republican Party has no tolerance for antisemitism or white supremacy.” Period.”
Longtime Trump ally and senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham stated, “Yes, the meeting was poor.
He ought not to have done it.
But he added, “there is a double standard for this sort of thing, and I don’t believe it will affect his political future.”
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri stated that Mr. Trump might dine with anybody he chose, but he would not dine with Mr. Fuentes.
Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, told The New York Times that the dinner was “just another illustration of Donald Trump’s terrible lack of judgment.”
Asa Hutchinson, the retiring governor of Arkansas, told CNN that the incident was “extremely concerning” and “should not occur.”
Others, though, including House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, remained silent.
Mr. Trump stated that he was unfamiliar with Mr. Fuentes before their meeting, but he has not condemned the views of Mr. Fuentes or their dinner companion Ye, who has also made antisemitic remarks in recent weeks.
The Republican Party continues to ponder how to approach Mr. Trump.
Many blame him for the party’s worse-than-expected performance in the midterm elections, but they also acknowledge that Mr. Trump, who just said he will run for president again in 2024, is immensely popular with his supporters.
