It’s Always Nazi Week

In the sitcom, Two and a Half Men, Alan tells Charlie that Jake will be spending more time living with them. When Charlie balks, Alan tells him to just give it a chance. Charlie replies, “That’s what Poland said about the Germans.” Alan then asks, “Been watching the History Channel again?” Charlie responds, “It’s Nazi week.” Alan, “It’s always Nazi week.”

I recently wrote about my confessed confusion with the evangelical religious right and the MAGA faithful’s alignment with Donald Trump given his personal history and current actions. Another conundrum for me is this group’s proclaimed support of Israel and concurrent affinity for American Nazis. I know, the enemy of my enemies is my friend, but Nazis? I can’t philosophically wrap my head around how a group can support Jews and Nazis. I seem to remember that, not long ago, there was some conflict between those groups.

Recently, avid MAGA champion Tucker Carlson, provided an extended platform for Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist commentator, Holocaust denier, and antisemitic firebrand. Not only did Fuentes underscore his usual criticism of Israel and its leaders, but Carlson also never challenged him on his praise for Adolph Hitler and his regular calls to execute “perfidious Jews.”

Another MAGA stalwart, The Heritage Foundation, after limited commentary regarding Carlson and the Fuentes interview disappeared from their website, some conjectured that the Foundation might try to break ties with him. On the contrary, Foundation president Kevin Roberts reaffirmed his support for Carlson. He argued that, while he condemns antisemitism, Carlson should not be “cancelled” for allowing an antisemite a platform. The Heritage Foundation was willing to walk the tightrope of being pro-Israel while still allowing an antisemite, holocaust denier, and pro-Hitler fanatic, a megaphone with which to promote “another view.”

This stance caused almost spontaneous projectile vomiting from the MAGA elite in Washington. Ted Cruz used the moment to condemn Roberts’ position and question why conservatives weren’t actively denouncing Fuentes. Mitch McConnell jumped on the flaming honey wagon and expressed his dissatisfaction with Roberts. Only then did Roberts break out his fiddle to attempt his rendition of the Potomac two-step with a long explanatory post on X. Carlson then joined in and expressed surprise that Roberts’ position drew such a heated reaction. Yadda, yadda, free speech, yadda, yadda.

This all comes at a time when the MAGA right was already reeling from the pro-Hitler and “gassing their opponents” remarks made in private group chats by leaders of the Young Republicans. The shift away from Reagan neoconservatism toward a more Trumpian attitude of allowing anyone into the MAGA house of mirrors who hates the left, is now complete. Apparently the MAGA red hats don’t clash with the red of the Nazi flag as long as the left is their common enemy.