GOP Rep. Steve King asks why 'white nationalist' and 'white supremacist' are 'offensive' terms


A Republican member of Congress apparently doesn't think being labeled a white supremacist should be such a bad thing.
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) asked The New York Times about the term in an interview published Thursday. "White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?," he asked. "Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?"
King, who in October was condemned by the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee for "white supremacy and hate," has repeatedly come under fire for racist comments and for on numerous occasions retweeting white nationalists. He told the Times that he's not a racist, apparently by pointing to photos of himself with "Iowans of all races and religions."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read the full interview with King at The New York Times. Brendan Morrow
Update 3:30 p.m. EST: King tweeted a statement in response to the Times article. "I reject those labels," he said, referring to white nationalism and white supremacy, "and the evil ideology they define." He condemned "anyone that supports" such ideas, and said he is "simply a Nationalist." King wrote that "one of my most strongly held beliefs is that we are all created in God's image."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Japan is opening up to immigration – but is it welcoming immigrants?
Under the Radar Plummeting birth rates and ageing population leaves closed-off country 'no choice' but to admit foreign workers, but tensions are growing with newly arrived Muslims
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - setting fires, flying south, and more
By The Week US
-
5 classified cartoons about Pete Hegseth's precarious position
Cartoons Artists take on confidential texts, centerfold candidates, and more
By The Week US
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans