Fox News host Laura Ingraham is facing widespread criticism after claiming that members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front were actually “Antifa in costume” following the group’s highly publicized Independence Day march in Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of Patriot Front members marched through the nation’s capital over the holiday weekend wearing the organization’s signature uniform of khaki pants, navy shirts, white face coverings, baseball caps, and sunglasses. The group carried Patriot Front flags, modified American flags, and Confederate flags while chanting slogans including “Reclaim America.”

The march was documented by multiple news organizations and photographers, with Reuters reporting that approximately 400 members traveled to Washington for the demonstration.

The controversy escalated after an older video resurfaced online showing Patriot Front founder Thomas Rousseau delivering a speech promoting white nationalist ideology. Standing before rows of masked followers, Rousseau argued that only people of European ancestry could truly become Americans.

Reacting to the footage on X, Laura Ingraham dismissed its authenticity.

“I call fake. Looks more like Antifa in costume. No one should be allowed to cover their faces.”

Her claim immediately drew backlash.

Critics pointed out that the individuals shown in the video were unmistakably Patriot Front members led by Rousseau himself, whose appearance and leadership role have been extensively documented for years. Previous reporting by The Associated Press and other news outlets has repeatedly identified Rousseau leading Patriot Front demonstrations while wearing the same distinctive clothing seen in the resurfaced footage.

Many also questioned Ingraham’s suggestion that Antifa was somehow impersonating a white nationalist organization. Unlike Patriot Front—which has a recognized leadership structure, organized demonstrations, and publicly identifiable members—Antifa is widely described as a decentralized anti-fascist movement without formal leadership or membership.

The criticism did not stop there.

Commentators also highlighted what they described as a contradiction in Ingraham’s position on face coverings. While she argued that “no one should be allowed to cover their faces,” critics noted that she has frequently defended ICE agents who wear masks during immigration enforcement operations and protests.

Social media users quickly accused the Fox News host of attempting to deflect attention away from a far-right extremist organization by blaming political opponents without evidence. Others argued that the incident reflects a broader tendency among some conservative commentators to dismiss or minimize white nationalist activity whenever it receives national attention.

The exchange quickly went viral, with thousands of users mocking Ingraham’s comments and sharing previous reporting confirming Patriot Front’s identity.

The controversy has once again placed renewed attention on Patriot Front, one of the most visible white nationalist organizations operating in the United States, as well as the ongoing political debate over how extremist groups are portrayed in the media.