There is no room for antisemites in MAGA movement, Trump says: ‘We don’t need them, we don’t like them’

U.S. President Donald Trump said that neither his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement nor the Republican Party needs people with antisemitic views. 

In an interview with the New York Times, President Trump pointed to his own Jewish grandchildren through his daughter Ivanka, who is married to Jared Kushner. 

“I think we don’t need them (the people with antisemitic views),” President Trump told the Times. “I think we don’t like them.” 

Trump’s comments come as some right-wing groups and figures have begun to openly embrace both anti-Israel and antisemitic positions. A clear shift in right-wing support for open antisemitism came after Tucker Carlson brought on avowed antisemite and racist Nick Fuentes for a sympathetic interview.

Following several warnings by prominent Republicans about growing antisemitism within the conservative movement, Vice President JD Vance pushed back against the narrative of “exploding” levels of antisemitism on the right; however, he has also refused to specifically condemn those like Nick Fuentes who are openly sharing antisemitic views. 

President Trump’s statement to the Times appears to be an attempt to draw a clear line through the issue. The president has often bragged about his support for Israel, and in the interview Trump spoke of his own family. 

“My daughter happens to be Jewish, (and my) beautiful, three grandchildren are Jewish,” he said. “I’m very proud of them. I’m very proud of the whole, that whole family. I am the least antisemitic person probably there is anywhere in the world.” 

His daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism in order to marry Jared Kushner, and their children are all being raised as Jewish. 

Trump also praised himself and his support for Israel. “If you talk about the antisemitic views, there’s been nobody better for us. As an example, I just got the Israel award, which is the biggest award they give. It was just given to me. First time it was ever given to anybody outside of Israel,” Trump said. 

“There has been no better president in the history of the world as we know it that has been stronger or better and less antisemitic, certainly, than Donald Trump,” the president continued. 

“I have been the best president of the United States in the history of this country toward Israel. And that’s, by the way, acknowledged by everybody, including the fact that we have peace in the Middle East, and that’s going to hold.” 

However, despite his clear remarks about having no room for antisemitism in his political movement, Trump again refused to outright condemn Nick Fuentes when asked by the Times. 

Asked about the prevalence of the controversial figure, who has openly praised Adolf Hitler, Trump said that he doesn’t know Fuentes. When reminded that he had met with Fuentes in 2022, Trump reiterated that he had not invited Fuentes, who came as a guest of the rapper Kanye West. 

“I had dinner with him, one time, where he came as a guest of Kanye West,” Trump said. “I didn’t know who he was bringing. He said, ‘Do you mind if I bring a friend?’ I said, ‘I don’t care.’ And it was Nick Fuentes? I don’t know Nick Fuentes.” 

President Trump has also refused to distance himself from Tucker Carlson, even as Carlson has become increasingly critical of Trump and his actions, as well as critical of the U.S.’s relationship with Israel. 

Why is Tucker Carlson embarrassed to say that he was invited to the White House by the Vice President?

Why is Tucker lying and saying Trump invited him? He didn’t. Trump 100% isn’t the person who invited Tucker. The White House just confirmed this to me.

I really hope this… pic.twitter.com/kc85ZMOE5M

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 11, 2026

After Carlson’s interview with Fuentes, Trump even defended Carlson, telling reporters, “You can’t tell him who to interview.” 

Besides Vice President Vance, other conservative figures have defended Carlson and minimized the threat of antisemitism in the conservative movement, including Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. The lack of clarity on the issue of antisemitism and the value of the U.S. relationship with Israel has also colored some of the internal friction over the future leadership of the Republican Party. 

However, President Trump told the Times that it is “far too early” to discuss the future of the Republican Party and potential nominees for president. 

“We have three years and one month left, but he’s doing a great job,” Trump said regarding Vice President Vance, while adding, “Marco [Rubio] is doing a great job.” 

He refused to say which was better suited for the position of president. 

“I don’t want to do that, but they do have different, they have great strengths, but somewhat different, but they’re great,” Trump said. “They’re both doing a great job.” 

“I couldn’t be happier with either,” he added.