Nick Fuentes | Follow the Influence Encyclopedia

Overview

Nicholas Joseph Fuentes (born August 18, 1998) is an American livestreamer and political organizer whose America First program developed an online following called the Groypers. He founded the America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC) in 2020 and the separately constituted America First Foundation, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. The U.S. House January 6 Select Committee and other researchers characterize Fuentes's politics as white nationalist. Fuentes identifies as Catholic and Christian nationalist and disputes some descriptions of his movement. House report Form 990.

Early life and education

Fuentes grew up in La Grange Park, Illinois, attended Lyons Township High School and became interested in public speaking, student government, Model United Nations and local broadcasting. He graduated in 2016 and started online commentary while still a student. In sworn February 16, 2022 testimony, he said he attended Boston University for two semesters in 2016–2017, then earned an associate degree at College of DuPage around 2019; he also reported having no military service or government employment. WBEZ House deposition.

He attended the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a gathering of white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups. Public controversy after that event contributed to his departure from Boston University and expansion of his online political commentary. Washington Post biography.

Groypers and the America First livestream

Fuentes built an audience for his America First livestream, eventually operating on platforms including Rumble after suspensions and bans on other services for hate-speech policy violations. He led a decentralized online political following known as Groypers. In 2019, supporters organized confrontational questions about immigration, Israel and racial nationalism at Turning Point USA events featuring Charlie Kirk and other speakers. Kirk publicly criticized ethnonationalism. These were adversarial interventions, not a formal affiliation with the student organization. 2019 reporting.

Ideology and statements

Fuentes's broadcasts have included antisemitic conspiracy narratives, Holocaust denial, racist statements, attacks on women's political rights and opposition to LGBTQ equality. Researchers and news organizations have documented and criticized these statements. Fuentes has sometimes cast his positions in terms of Christian nationalism and Western civilization and contests certain ideological labels; he also discussed his earlier remarks in a December 2025 interview with Piers Morgan. This record attributes claims to the speaker rather than presenting them as facts about Jewish people, women or other groups. Original interview 2026 investigative analysis.

AFPAC, congressional speakers and nonprofit

Fuentes founded AFPAC in February 2020 as an alternative to CPAC. Rep. Paul Gosar participated in 2021 and sent a recorded appearance in 2022; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke at AFPAC III on February 25, 2022. Their conference appearances do not establish that they managed the event or held roles in Fuentes's separate foundation. CBS ADL.

The America First Foundation's IRS filings identify Fuentes as president/CEO; the 2025 fiscal-year return also lists Jonathan Miller (treasurer) and Vincent Foxx (secretary). The foundation, AFPAC conference, Groyper following and private broadcast income are separate categories of records. IRS Form 990 summaries.

2020 election protests and January 6

The House January 6 Select Committee reported that Fuentes promoted false stolen-election claims and spoke at multiple 2020 Stop the Steal rallies. It described him encouraging supporters to attend the January 6, 2021 Washington gathering. Fuentes was outside the Capitol during the breach; some followers entered the building, according to the committee. Its assessment of his rhetoric as incitement is an official investigative conclusion, not proof of a criminal conviction against Fuentes or of personal liability for every follower's actions. House report, chapter 6 Chapter 8.

Mar-a-Lago dinner, November 2022

On November 22, 2022, Fuentes dined at Mar-a-Lago with Donald Trump, rapper Ye (Kanye West) and others. Trump said Ye arrived with Fuentes unexpectedly and that he did not know Fuentes. The dinner establishes a specific encounter, not a continuing advisory, corporate or policy relationship. ABC News.

Tucker Carlson and other media appearances

Tucker Carlson interviewed Fuentes for more than two hours in October 2025. The broadcast, which contained antisemitic statements, drew criticism from several Republican officials; Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts defended Carlson's right to interview Fuentes while condemning some of Fuentes's views. That media contact does not show Fuentes's membership in Heritage. Fuentes subsequently appeared on Piers Morgan's program in December 2025. Washington Post Original Piers Morgan interview.

Financing and company records

In April 2026 the Washington Post analyzed more than 1,400 hours of Fuentes livestreams and estimated that around 11,000 donor accounts gave nearly $900,000 in paid viewer messages from early 2025 through March 2026. Those estimated broadcast payments must not be confused with revenue reported by the America First Foundation. Washington Post investigation.

The Foundation's fiscal year ending June 2025 reported $24,855 in contributions and $72,240 in expenses, with Fuentes listed as receiving no compensation from the nonprofit on that return. Negative net fundraising accounting affects total revenue; these figures do not prove Fuentes had zero personal streaming income. IRS return.

On November 10, 2026 the Guardian reported that the domain of the College Republican Patriot Coalition appeared in the same Microsoft 365 organizational account as NJF LLC, a company reported as managed by Fuentes. The domain was reportedly removed after questions to the parties. This is an observed technical account link in the reporter's records, not proof that Fuentes controls every coalition chapter or its funds. Guardian investigation.

Conditional misdemeanor case, October 2025

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Fuentes was charged with misdemeanor battery following a November 2024 confrontation at his home. In October 2025 he accepted a conditional agreement to complete anger management, community service, restitution and an apology in exchange for dismissal after completion. The source did not establish a final dismissal or conviction; no later disposition is asserted here. Chicago Sun-Times.

Documented connections

Groypers — movement organizer.
America First Political Action Conference — conference founder (2020).
America First Foundation — founder and IRS-listed president.
NJF LLC — reported managing relationship; College Republican Patriot Coalition — indirect, time-limited technical association through NJF LLC.
undefined and undefined — public opponents at 2019 events.
undefined — 2022 dinner.
undefined — 2025 interview.
Ye, Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene — separately documented dinner or conference appearances.

Sources

Research reviewed November 13, 2026. Type, date and legal status of every relationship matter.