EXCLUSIVE: Capitol Hill Staffer Is A Prominent Follower Of Neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes

1:01 PM Posted by Jane Wilde

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Friday, May 19, 2023

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A Note From Josh Marshall

Definitely take time to read Hunter Walker's big exclusive which we published [Sunday]. Hunter discovered that a leading member of neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes "Groyper" movement — who operates under a series of pseudonyms — actually works as a staffer on Capitol Hill. Fuentes calls Wade Searle, a staffer working in Rep. Paul Gosar's office, "one of our strongest soldiers." If you're not familiar with it, Fuentes movement is explicitly racist and anti-Semitic and is probably best seen as the modern day, digital equivalent of the late 20th century Aryan Nation neo-Nazi groups.

In recent years, Gosar has flirted with the group and its leader — alternatively expressing agreement with him and then blaming misunderstandings or scheduling snafus when he comes under scrutiny for it. But as Hunter shows, the movement members are actually working in Gosar's office — a fact that is understandably viewed as a coup and a fact of great value within the movement itself.

While the reporting is Hunter's, a piece of this scale, complexity and sensitivity is a group effort. It's also the product of many hours of work by Executive Editor David Kurtz and Managing Editor John Light. Memberships and support for TPM is what makes exclusives like these possible.

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EXCLUSIVE: Capitol Hill Staffer Is A Prominent Follower Of Neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes

by Hunter Walker

Originally Published: May 14, 2023 6:54 p.m.

Nick Fuentes was under attack.

On May 6, 2022, two high-ranking members of Fuentes' white-supremacist "Groyper" movement had defected from his organization and gone on a rival far-right streaming show to criticize Fuentes and air their grievances about the group. Fuentes responded five days later on his own stream, "America First." After denouncing his "enemies," Fuentes raised his hand and made a demand from his remaining followers.

"Now it's time to pledge your allegiance to me forever, OK?" Fuentes declared.

Fuentes was seated in front of a digital studio backdrop with a Russian flag bearing the "Z" insignia used by supporters of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in the corner of his screen. In a chat feed alongside the host, messages from viewers poured in. They took Fuentes' oath via emoji, sending in row after row of cartoon hands. One audience member who pledged fealty to Fuentes used the handle "Chikken." A wrench icon next to their name indicated they were a moderator in the chatroom for Fuentes' streams.

"Chikken" sent in multiple hand emojis, signaling their loyalty to Fuentes as he elaborated on the pledge.

"Raise your right hand. 'I swear my undying allegiance to Nicholas J. Fuentes and the America First movement, so help me God,'" Fuentes said, continuing to recite his pledge, "Raise your hand. Hold it high. 'I swear I will defend the white race, my nation America, and my savior Jesus Christ, and my loyalty to the America First movement, Nicholas J. Fuentes, so help me God.'"

As the emojis continued to roll in, Fuentes punctuated his oath by crossing his arms across his chest and — as he often does — unleashing racial slurs.

"What more do you want from a n***a? What more do you want from a n***a?" he asked.

Many of his followers were clearly on board. In addition to emojis, they sent in paid "superchats" that allowed them to display a note on the screen alongside Fuentes. These paid messages are a staple of Fuentes' broadcasts on Cozy TV, the video platform Fuentes launched after he was suspended from YouTube for violations of its hate speech policy in 2020. Fuentes read these "superchats" aloud. Most of the donors gave a few dollars, but one, who used the handle "Chikkenright," gave an especially generous gift, $150, along with a note that gushed to Fuentes, "You are our voice!"

"Chikken" and "Chikkenright" were aliases associated with a social media persona that became relatively prominent in the "Groyper" movement between 2020 and last year. As he gave thanks for the donation, Fuentes indicated his personal familiarity with "Chikkenright."

"Thank you so much Chikkenright," Fuentes said. "Chikkenright, one of the best. Thank you so much, king."

The ChickenRight persona was a unique figure in the Groyper movement. Fuentes' core audience is made up of young, alienated "Zoomers" who watch his hours-long streams, in which he rails against minorities and gays. But ChickenRight wasn't just some kid tuning in to Fuentes' fringe online world from a basement. Evidence indicates ChickenRight has a real job in the corridors of power in Washington D.C.

TPM has uncovered an extensive digital trail of interconnected Groyper social media pages using variations of the "ChickenRight" and "Chikken" handles that can be linked to Wade Searle, who works as the digital director for Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), one of the most extreme, far-right members of Congress. ChickenRight's posting on far-right websites and Searle's alleged involvement with Fuentes occurred before and after he started working in Gosar's Capitol Hill office. Gosar, his chief of staff, his press secretary, and Searle have not responded to multiple detailed requests for comment.