Arkansas Gov: Trump dinner with Kanye, Nick Fuentes, not accidental

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Former US President Donald Trump's meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes last week has caused a wave of controversy among Republicans, and the first to speak up was outgoing Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. 

The Governor, who served two terms, was asked during a CNN interview on Sunday about the meeting that took place at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence on Tuesday and also included rapper Kanye West. 

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"Well, I hope someday we won't have to be responding to what President Trump has said or done. This instance, it's important to respond," he said, also taking into consideration a mention by host Dana Bash of Hutchinson's time as a US attorney who prosecuted racist militia members.

"The last time I met with a white supremacist, it was in an armed standoff," Hutchinson said, adding: "I had a bulletproof vest on, we arrested them, prosecuted them, and sent them to prison. So no, I don't think it's a good idea for a leader that's setting an example for the country or the party to meet with a vowed racist or antisemite," as he concluded that leaders should steer from empowering extremists.

According to Trump, through posts on Truth Social, dinner with West was planned, but the rapper unexpectedly brought other guests who included Fuentes - a 24-year-old podcaster known for his racist views. Fuentes was at the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally when a neo-Nazi killed a counterprotester with his car.

Trump further denied knowing Fuentes but has not publicly rejected the beliefs Fuentes holds. In light of that, Hutchinson expressed: "You can have accidental meetings. Things like that happen... This was not an accidental meeting. It was a set-up dinner with Kanye."

In one of the Truth Social posts, Trump said: "This past week, Kanye West called me to have dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Shortly thereafter, he unexpectedly showed up with three of his friends, whom I knew nothing about."

Leaders, in Hutchinson's opinion, are required to be "absolutely clear" that white supremacy is unacceptable, and Trump's "failure to condemn" it mirrored the "extreme" minority of the GOP. Hutchinson has recently called out the former President for his role in the Capitol riots and for dismissing fraud claims. 

Although a majority of Republicans have not condemned Trump for this dinner, especially since he has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race alongside Kanye West, other potential candidates have spoken out, such as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.