The Jim Acosta Show

Episode: Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Researcher of Far-Right Extremism Jared Holt
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Harry Dunn (Former Capitol Police Officer & Democracy Defender), Jared Holt (Senior Researcher, Open Measures)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Jim Acosta Show tackles two urgent topics: the consequences of political violence and right-wing extremism in America. Jim Acosta interviews Harry Dunn, former Capitol Police officer and outspoken defender of democracy, focusing on recent attacks among Republicans, the ongoing impact of the “big lie,” and the personal toll of political threats. In the second half, Acosta is joined by researcher Jared Holt for an in-depth examination of neo-Nazi influencer Nick Fuentes, the dangers of platforming extremist voices, and the proliferation of far-right ideology in mainstream politics.

1. Political Violence and Accountability – With Harry Dunn

Key Discussion Points

a. Trump’s Attacks on Marjorie Taylor Greene

• Trump has intensified public attacks on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, despite her own history of inflammatory rhetoric.

• Greene has received death threats and reports a pipe bomb was sent to her house.

  Harry Dunn: "You reap what you sow... I don't believe anybody deserves this type of hatred... But you're right; Marjorie Taylor Greene... she is a flamer herself—from 9/11 being a hoax to... attacks on anti-Semitism and, you know, January 6th." [00:46]

b. Cycle of Incitement and Threats

• Political threats have long affected not just Greene but others, including Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Capitol Police officers.

• Criticism is leveled at Trump as a continual inciter of political violence.

  Harry Dunn: "Donald Trump is the biggest stoker of political violence that's ever existed... Exhibit 1A: January 6th, where he had to pardon over 1500 violent insurrectionists." [04:04]

c. Hypocrisy and Wake-Up Calls

• Greene's recent apology for toxic politics is discussed, with Dunn arguing it lacks sincerity or specificity.

• Dunn calls for personal apologies to victims rather than blanket statements.

  Harry Dunn: "You could still be dumb and be against violence, and I guess that's where she's at now. Beggars can't be choosers." [05:26]

d. Broader Impact of Threats

• Dunn recounts the emotional and personal costs of political threats, saying experience changes once it "comes to your front door."

• Accountability must apply to all, regardless of political affiliation.

  Harry Dunn: "That's the thing. The threat is still real. And you need people that are going to be truth tellers...​ Right is right and wrong is wrong." [09:57]

e. January 6th—Permanent Consequences

• The repercussions of January 6th are long-lasting for officers and the nation.

• Dunn expresses that holding Trump and his enablers accountable is now his mission.

  Harry Dunn: "The world would not know who I am and Michael Fanon are. They wouldn't know who none of us are if January 6th didn't happen." [11:08]

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Acosta on Greene's Reality:
  "She’s finding out what Liz Cheney went through, what Adam Kinzinger went through... A lot of people like yourself went through." [02:42]

• Acosta’s Note on the Big Lie:
  "If she still believes that the election was rigged... then you're still part of the problem." [06:38]

Timestamps

• [00:46] Dunn on Greene's history and rhetorical responsibility
• [04:04 & 04:46] Trump as the "biggest stoker" of political violence
• [05:26] Discussion on apology specificity
• [09:57] Dunn on lasting threats and accountability

2. Far-Right Extremism & Nick Fuentes – With Jared Holt

Key Discussion Points

a. Why Discuss Nick Fuentes?

• Acosta and Holt analyze the dilemma of reporting on extremist figures without giving them undue attention or public platform.

• Fuentes’ proximity to mainstream right-wing leaders and media is concerning.

  Acosta: "Remember, Nick Fuentes dined with Donald Trump... he's a neo Nazi, a racist, he's a misogynist..." [15:37]

b. Fuentes’ Tactics and Influence

• Holt describes Fuentes as charismatic and strategic, targeting young men online and aiming for influence in Republican politics.

  Jared Holt: "He was developing this online cult following of particularly young, far right young men... and he was seeking to use that... to effect change in politics, especially in the Republican Party as it was remaking itself under Trump." [17:03]

• Despite platform bans and scrutiny, Fuentes’ profile has only grown—thanks in part to media attention and willingness of powerful figures to engage with him.

c. Neo-Nazi Label:

• Holt affirms that Fuentes’ public statements and attitudes justify the neo-Nazi and white nationalist labels, regardless of how the figure tries to rebrand himself.

  Holt: "I think describing him as a white nationalist at the very least is the most accurate. And there's a whole lot of other, you know, less generous terms I would use." [20:19]

d. The Dangers of Mainstream Legitimacy

• Recent interviews by figures like Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan with Fuentes are discussed as normalizing and dangerously legitimizing.
• Fuentes’ misogyny and racism are explicit and often proudly asserted, shocking even seasoned hosts.

e. The Broader Problem—Not Just One Person

• Holt cautions against over-focusing on Fuentes as an individual—his prominence reflects a larger ideological shift and problem on the right.

• Antisemitism and misogyny may be more visible or prevalent in certain segments, and Fuentes’ influence is as a symbol rather than a uniquely powerful operator.

  Holt: "While Fuentes is certainly an important figure... I would caution your listeners to not spend too long fixating on him, but understand him as a vignette of a larger problem..." [29:51]

Notable Quotes & Exchanges

• Piers Morgan grilling Fuentes:

  Piers Morgan: "Are you joking or do you actually think [Hitler] was very fucking cool, the most genocidal monster of the last 150 years?" [22:10]
  Fuentes: "The thing is, my generation, we're just done with the pearl clutching..." [22:16]

• On Women:

  Piers Morgan: "Do you think [women] should have the right to vote?"
  Fuentes: "I do not. No. Absolutely not." [31:18]
  "See, basically you’re just a misogynist old dinosaur..." [31:26]

• Holt on broader influence:
  "If Nick is able to successfully book these appearances... the risk there is that somebody like a Kevin Roberts at the Heritage Foundation ... may start to factor in... do we need to cater to this somehow….?" [35:07]

Holt’s Reflections: On Motivation and Hope

• Why track these movements?

  Holt: "I started doing it because I thought somebody needed to do it... What motivates me... in their most extreme cases, [these] far right movements seek to do violence to people, to vulnerable people, and... to limit freedoms and access to all the good things in this world." [42:26]

• Message to listeners:

  "What keeps this stuff at bay is social accountability... It can be as simple as looking at your friend and being like, 'That's not cool. Don’t talk like that around me.’" [46:00]

Timestamps

• [17:03] Holt on Fuentes’ rise and influence
• [20:19] On labels and dangerous euphemisms
• [22:10] Clip: Fuentes on Hitler and generational “pearl clutching”
• [29:51] Fuentes as a symbol, not a root cause
• [35:07] Dangers of mainstream figures listening to/sympathizing with extremism
• [42:26] Holt on why he continues his work, and the need for social responsibility

3. Closing: Democracy’s Defense, Social Responsibility, and Media Critique

Key Takeaways

• The episode exposes the cycle of political violence: how public figures incite it and how it reverberates onto both their adversaries and themselves.

• Extreme beliefs and figures are gaining more visibility—not only due to their own efforts, but because respected political and media institutions sometimes legitimize them.

• Accountability is championed as essential—regardless of political party or status—both for acts of violence and for the normalization of extremist views.

  Acosta: “We can’t put blinders on. We can’t close our eyes to the darkest of dark forces… this is not just some fringe figure on the far right. This is somebody who has dined with Donald Trump.” [50:00]

• Exposing such movements is a public service, but must be done responsibly; “social accountability” starts with individuals refusing to tolerate hate among acquaintances or leaders.

On the State of the Economy (Brief Segment)

• Trump calls the economy “A plus plus plus plus,” which Acosta ridicules as disconnected from reality:

  “Nobody thinks the economy is an A plus plus plus economy right now. You must have been caught mid-nap…” [47:33]

4. Memorable, Punchy Moments

• "You reap what you sow." – Harry Dunn on Marjorie Taylor Greene (00:46)
• “Donald Trump is the biggest stoker of political violence that's ever existed.” – Harry Dunn (04:04)
• “I'll take this Marjorie Taylor Greene over the one who incited violence... Yeah, she's still an idiot.” – Harry Dunn (05:26)
• “If Nick is able to successfully book these appearances...the risk...is that somebody...may start to factor in: do we need to adjust our messaging...?” – Jared Holt (35:07)
• “What keeps this stuff at bay is social accountability...little acts of saying no.” – Jared Holt (46:00)
• “We can’t put blinders on. We can’t close our eyes to these dark forces…” – Jim Acosta (49:53)

5. Conclusion

The episode underscores the growing urgency for accountability—both in confronting the political violence sown by public leaders and in exposing the dangerous normalization of extremists like Nick Fuentes. Through candid conversation and expert analysis, Acosta, Dunn, and Holt shed light on the roots, reach, and risks of far-right extremism, reminding listeners that hope and democracy depend on collective truth-telling, courage, and everyday acts of resistance.