Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, is the latest GOP member to comment on Donald Trump’s recent dinner with rapper and potential presidential contender Ye. As previously reported, Ye had a companion with him: white nationalist Nick Fuentes. The meeting’s news traveled quickly on social media, and everybody had an opinion, from “Who is Nick Fuentes?” to “What in the *bleep* was Donald Trump thinking?”
He didn’t even mention Trump by name, but McConnell’s argument is clear: You should be more selective about who you associate with. Trump, however, recently announced his decision to run for President for the third and last time. Many regarded his launch as “poor energy,” and this scandal, coming on the heels of that sluggish start, would undoubtedly create severe headwinds for his campaign in these crucial early days.
Trump issued two statements regarding Ye’s visit in an attempt to deflect criticism. Statement number one stated:
“Kanye West phoned me last week to have dinner at the Mar-a-Lago,” he claimed in his initial statement. “Shortly afterwards, he unexpectedly arrived with three of his buddies, that I knew nothing about. On Tuesday evening, we hosted dinner on the back patio with several members present. The meal was brief and uneventful. They then proceeded to the airport.”
When it didn’t quell the speculation about the guests, Trump released a second statement:
“Ye, formerly recognized as Kanye West, asked me for assistance regarding some of his troubles, particularly those relating to his company,” Trump stated in his second statement. “We also talked about politics to a smaller extent, and I told him that he should absolutely not run for President, and that any supporters he has should vote for TRUMP.”
“Anyway, we got along wonderfully, he had no anti-Semitism, and I loved what he said about me when he went on ‘Tucker Carlson.’ Why would I refuse to meet? I also did not even know Nick Fuentes,” he added.”
Many people are wondering how these uninvited guests got past the former president’s staff as well as the Secret Service. Donald Trump might not have recognized Nick Fuentes, however the internet did.
Kevin McCarthy, the current House Majority Leader and prospective Speaker of the House (or not), had some opinions on the event as well. According to Fox News:
McCarthy stated, “I really do not believe that anyone should spend any time with Nick Fuentes.” “He doesn’t belong in the Republican Party.”
“McCarthy, on the other hand, appeared to support Trump, saying he had “four times blasted” Fuentes and that he “didn’t know who he was.”
