Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson interviewed Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback on his show in early January, amplifying Fishback’s hardline “America First” message as his campaign draws scrutiny over his comments about the “great replacement,” his outreach to the far-right “groyper” milieu linked to Nick Fuentes, and his criticism of pro-Israel groups and policies.
James Fishback, the CEO of investment firm Azoria and a Republican candidate in Florida’s 2026 race for governor, appeared for an hour-long interview on Tucker Carlson’s show on January 9, according to reporting by The Nation.
Carlson told Fishback, “Pretty soon, all winning Republican politicians will talk like this,” after Fishback delivered a set of grievances and themes that The Nation described as aligned with the “groyper” online movement associated with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. During the conversation, Fishback also discussed what he has called “systemic racism” against “white Christian men,” a line Carlson responded to by saying, “I’m aware,” The Nation reported.
Five days before the Carlson appearance, Fishback appeared in a short video with influencer Ella Maulding in which he said, “The great replacement and white genocide. They’re both real, and I’m running for Florida governor to stop it.” The Nation reported the clip was 24 seconds long and had surpassed 760,000 views on X.
At campaign events, Fishback and some attendees have been seen wearing Fuentes’ blue “America First” hat. In one speech cited by The Nation, Fishback said, “This hat is not about hate. It’s about unapologetic love for Americans. I’m proud to wear this hat.” In a separate video cited by The Nation, he said he would “clarify and apologize for absolutely nothing” when criticized for not disavowing supporters tied to the groyper milieu.
Fishback is running in a Republican field that includes U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and other candidates, including Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, according to the Associated Press. The Nation described Donalds as the early front-runner.
A central theme of Fishback’s campaign has been opposition to pro-Israel lobbying and to Florida policies he argues limit speech about Israel. The Nation reported that Fishback has pledged to divest $385 million in Florida Israel Bonds and redirect the money to a downpayment-assistance program for married first-time homebuyers. Carlson responded on air, “You’ve got my vote… Amen, Amen,” The Nation reported.
Fishback has also criticized Florida statutes that adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, arguing the policy could chill speech critical of Israel, according to The Nation.
The Republican Jewish Coalition has sharply criticized Fishback. Jewish Insider reported that an RJC spokesperson called him “a radical fringe candidate” and accused him of attacking “the Jewish community and our ally Israel.”
Fishback has attacked Donalds during the campaign, including mocking him with the nickname “AIPAC Shakur,” according to The Nation. The Nation also reported Fishback supports a total abortion ban, including in cases of rape and incest, and has said, “We are one people, united under a Christian God.”
Fishback first gained broader attention in conservative circles through Azoria’s anti-DEI investment push. The Nation reported he “gained notoriety” in 2024 for launching Azoria Capital with a mission that included excluding companies pursuing diversity initiatives from a benchmark like the S&P 500. Azoria materials and company press releases later described the launch of an “anti-DEI” ETF, the Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (ticker SPXM), which the firm says began trading on July 8, 2025.
Fishback’s campaign and Carlson’s platforming of him come amid intensifying ideological conflict inside the Republican coalition over immigration, national identity, and the party’s traditionally strong alignment with Israel—fault lines that Fishback has sought to exploit as he positions himself as a populist alternative in Florida’s 2026 GOP primary.
