The Weird, but Unsurprising Nazi Connection to Rep. Paul Gosar
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The Weird, but Unsurprising Nazi Connection to Rep. Paul Gosar
The Representative's previous behavior suggests this is not out of character
In a disturbing but not surprising display of fascistic influence, Rep. Paul Gosar has been exposed as having a Neo-Nazi staff member. The revelation, brought about by Talking Points Memo’s Hunter Walker, shows that Gosar staffer Wade Searle was consistently involved with and even moderated servers affiliated with infamous Neo-Nazi, Nick Fuentes.
The report, detailed in its scope, demonstrates that before he served in Gosar’s office, Searle pledged allegiance to Fuentes under the pseudonym ‘Chikken,’ along with several variations of the name, and even gave the infamous Nazi $150. In response to the donation provided by Searle, Fuentes reportedly said:
“Thank you so much Chikkenright,” Fuentes said. “Chikkenright, one of the best. Thank you so much, king.”
The absurd nicknames aside, Searle’s past as a symbolic and financial supporter of the infamous Neo-Nazi is disturbing. Fuentes, who has, among other things, argued for 16-year-old brides, called for the execution of journalists and so-called globalists, and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories to the point where even some right-wingers are hesitant to associate with him, is not merely a clout-chaser but a full-on fascist with violent views.
To add to that, Searle’s position within Gosar’s orbit is not a small position. As digital director, Searle has extensive influence over how Gosar is perceived. Such a position would be completely untenable, especially from someone who has as checkered a past as Searle’s. Yet, as of writing, Gosar has not fired Searle from his position within his staff.
This isn’t entirely surprising, as Gosar has previously been involved with Fuentes, both directly and indirectly. In one instance, Gosar attended a fundraiser with Fuentes, and in another, he was a guest at his America First PAC.
To say Gosar has a history of far-right connections would be an understatement.Gosar himself has engaged in violent rhetoric. As I noted previously, Gosar has used animations from the famed anime, Attack on Titan to show himself, along with Representatives Boebert and Green, attacking and fatally injuring a titan with Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s face superimposed over said monster.
The video, deleted after a backlash, was not merely a joke in poor taste but a representation of the consistent dehumanization within Gosar’s camp of the GOP. Despite conservative attempts to argue it was harmless, the fact of the matter is that it is a clear sign of intentionality on Gosar’s part.
As I noted in my article from 2021:
Hypocrisy aside, the idea that media has no impact on the political discourse seems laughable in the face of the pandemic, the attack on the capitol.
To this day, Republicans believe that the election was stolen, with 62 percent of Republicans asserting that voter fraud altered the election results. They are wrong. Media outlets like Newsmax and Fox helped propagate this myth, and it contributed to the death of five people on that infamous day in January.
It is bad enough that Gosar associates with far-right neo Nazis like Nick Fuentes, but the fact that he will almost certainly escape consequences for his actions is an indictment on our political system. If there is to be any calm in this tumultuous political environment, consequences have to follow. Basic decency demands it.
Gosar’s connections with such a far-right figure are unsurprising but should disturb every reasonable person in this country. If anything, the consistent failures by Gosar to remove himself from the far-right, consciously or otherwise, is an indictment on his ability to serve his constituents and the nation with any tact of good character. So long as this trend continues, Gosar and his camp will demonstrate that they are unfit to serve in the halls of government.
Hunter Walker, “EXCLUSIVE: Capitol Hill Staffer Is A Prominent Follower Of Neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes,” TPM – Talking Points Memo, May 14, 2023, https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/paul-gosar-nick-fuentes-staffer-wade-searle.
Jennifer Bahney, “Neo Nazi Who Dined With Trump Wants a 16-Year-Old Wife,” Mediate, May 17, 2023, https://www.mediaite.com/politics/neo-nazi-who-dined-with-trump-says-he-wants-a-16-year-old-wife-in-disturbing-rant/.
“Right Side Broadcasting, The ‘Unofficial Version Of Trump TV,’ Forced To Apologize For Contributor’s Call To ‘Kill The Globalists’ At CNN,” Media Matters for America, April 24, 2017, https://www.mediamatters.org/cnn/right-side-broadcasting-unofficial-version-trump-tv-forced-apologize-contributors-call-kill.
Ali Breiland, “How Twitter and YouTube Are Helping a White Nationalist Build a Community Fueled by Hate,” Mother Jones (blog), November 21, 2019, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/11/nick-fuentes-twitter-youtube/.
Ronald Hansen, “Rep. Paul Gosar Linked to Fundraiser with White Nationalist Nick Fuentes,” Journal Sentinel, accessed May 17, 2023, https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/06/29/rep-paul-gosar-linked-fundraiser-nick-fuentes-white-nationalist/7792323002/.
Conor Kelly, “Anime, Death Threats, and Paul Gosar: When Consequences Don’t Exist,” Progressive American (blog), November 11, 2021, https://progressiveamerican322183019.wordpress.com/2021/11/10/anime-death-threats-and-paul-gosar-when-consequences-dont-exist/.