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• David French in National Review:

“The alt-right wants it both ways. They want the strength in numbers of the larger fascist right while also enjoying the credibility granted them by Breitbart, Steve Bannon, Milo, and — today — the president of the United States.”

The president’s news conference gave the so-called alt-right the “greatest national media moment ever,” argues Mr. French. By delineating between the alt-right, and groups like neo-Nazis and white supremacists, he’s making its members “respectable” and “different.” And while Mr. French sees some “kernels of truth” in Mr. Trump’s statements at Trump Tower, he reminds his readers that the “most pernicious forms of evil always mix truth and lies.” Read more »

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• Sohrab Ahmari in Commentary:

“As for his defenders in the conservative media, the ones who are convinced that a responsible, presidential Trump is just around the corner: He will always disappoint you.”

For those reluctant conservative supporters of the president who keep waiting for a “mature” leader, Mr. Ahmari has bad news: You’ll never get a “presidential Trump.” He adds, “With each disappointment comes a fresh dose of humiliation.” Read more »

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• Hans Fiene in The Federalist:

“What many conservatives hear is Lucy van Liberal saying to them, ‘I get to ignore Antifa, Charlie Brown, but you have to own white supremacy. You’re a bigot until you renounce them. And, no matter what you say, I’ll never let you renounce them.’”