The White nationalist

December 5, 2025

Nicholas J Fuentes, a prominent figure in the American far right, has turned his attention to India in his latest online outburst. Reacting to a post on X about the Donald Trump administration announcing a full suspension of immigration and naturalisation for citizens of 19 countries, Fuentes replied with the remark, “Now do India”. His comment followed the United States’ decision to intensify restrictions after an Afghan national was accused of shooting a National Guard member and critically injuring another in Washington, DC.

The list of countries facing full or partial immigration suspensions includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. While the broader move reflects the administration’s tightening stance on immigration, Fuentes’ message has drawn attention for its direct call to expand the crackdown to India.

Fuentes has become a divisive force even within Donald Trump’s Maga orbit. His views highlight the growing ideological fractures in the movement, where extreme hard-right voices often clash with more traditional Republican conservatives. The controversy surrounding him raises questions about how far-right activists are shaping public debate around immigration and national identity in the United States. But who exactly is Fuentes, and how did he emerge as a figure capable of stirring national headlines?

Nick Fuentes, now 27, is known primarily as a right-wing podcaster whose broadcasts mix political commentary with openly racist, antisemitic and sexist statements. The US Justice Department has identified him as a white supremacist, a label that reflects the ideology he promotes through his livestreams and rallies. Despite being banned from several major social media platforms, he has managed to cultivate a significant following, particularly among young conservative men who refer to themselves as Groypers.

The term Groyper stems from an internet meme derived from a variation of Pepe the Frog, a cartoon character that first gained attention in apolitical online communities. Around 2015, white nationalists and far-right groups appropriated the image, turning it into a symbol linked with their online movements. Fuentes capitalised on this culture to build his brand, positioning himself as a rebellious voice resisting what he describes as mainstream conservative weakness.

Fuentes’ background contrasts sharply with the extremist views he promotes. His father, a company executive involved in conveyor product manufacturing, is half Mexican. Fuentes grew up in La Grange Park, an upper-middle-class suburb of Chicago, a setting far removed from the grievances he often highlights in his rhetoric. According to the New York Times, his rise from suburban teenager to influential far-right personality was fuelled by his ability to exploit online platforms and tap into the frustrations of young audiences seeking sharper ideological identities.

Fuentes’ latest remarks about India show how his commentary now extends beyond domestic politics, injecting him once again into broader global debates that he uses to amplify his profile.