Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin cut off a reporter during an interview that went viral after he pressed her on her connection to a white nationalist conference.
Reporter Brian Holmes of Boise’s KTVB-TV asked McGeachin on February 28, “Are you familiar with who puts this event on? Like Nick Fuentes.”
According to CBS News, Fuentes, a white nationalist, started the America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC) in 2020.
“I don’t, I don’t know who he is. I don’t. I’ve never met him. I don’t know who he is,” McGeachin said.
Holmes continued, “Did you not look into it before you decided to say OK? Like to find out? I mean, his name is on it.”
McGeachin reiterated that she did not know who Fuentes is. She grew frustrated as Holmes suggested it is not good to be associated with someone who is antisemitic.
“Stop. Stop. Excuse me. Excuse me. You asked me why I was there, why I wanted to participate and speak to these young conservatives. That’s what we’re talking about right now,” McGeachin said.
Holmes went on to ask her if she knew who Fuentes was would she have said yes to speaking at the conference.
“Well, again, this movement is so much bigger than one individual. Who cares what Nick Fuentes has to say? Who cares? There’s thousands and thousands of young conservatives all across the country that are very concerned about what’s happening to our country,” McGeachin replied.
Watch the video below:
This is an incredible exchange between a local reporter and a far right politician:
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) March 16, 2022
reporter @KTVBBrian presses Idaho Lt. Gov McGeachin on speaking at a white nationalist conference last month.
Via @KTVB pic.twitter.com/VZynGHu3SK
After mentioning her connection with Vincent James Foxx, head of the white nationalist website Red Elephants, McGeachin responded, “Interview’s over.”
Holmes received praise for his questions from users on Twitter after the interview went viral on Wednesday:
Kudos to this reporter for the patience displayed in asking questions of a disingenuous dope. https://t.co/NjFbMWAR25
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) March 17, 2022
As painful as this is to watch – it matters https://t.co/d9fV9CjEc0
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) March 16, 2022
Idaho’s right-wing lieutenant governor, now running for governor, spoke at Nick Fuentes’ big white-supremacist/pro-Putin/Nazi-friendly convention in Orlando a couple of weeks ago. Bravo, @ktvbbrian of Boise’s NBC affiliate. https://t.co/RyqV0gqvq6 https://t.co/44MqqgEaIh
— Kurt Andersen (@KBAndersen) March 16, 2022
Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also received criticism for attending the same event. She responded to the backlash saying, “It doesn’t matter if I’m speaking to Democrat union members or 1,200 young conservatives who feel cast aside and marginalized by society.”
She added, “The Pharisees in the Republican Party may attack me for being willing to break barriers and speak to a lost generation of young people who are desperate for love and leadership.”
