The popular American podcast “Fresh and Fit,” which boasts more than 1.5 million subscribers, has sparked outrage in recent days after airing a deeply antisemitic segment in which guests made inflammatory claims about the Holocaust—including the assertion that Jews “started it”—while the hosts laughed and agreed.
The controversial clip, which gained wide circulation on social media before being taken down, was recorded during an episode hosted by Myron Gaines, a former fitness and wellness influencer. It aired on the video platform Rumble. The panel featured influencers and young Americans who were asked: “What do you think of Hitler?”
The responses were shockingly disturbing, with several panelists attempting to justify the actions of the Nazi dictator. “They were up to something so the Germans wanted to take them out,” one said. “The Holocaust was the only way (Hitler could) take out a huge amount of Jews all in one setting. I already know what’s going on. I’m not dumb. The Jews did something there.” Others voiced agreement, with one saying, “I’m with you on that,” another adding, “They started it,” and a third calling Hitler “a man trying to save the world.”
The antisemitic rhetoric escalated further when one woman declared: “We need to take them out” and “We got to kill the mother***ers”—explicitly referring to Jews. Host Gaines did not challenge any of the remarks. Instead, he was seen smiling and laughing throughout the discussion.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the episode in a statement on the X platform, writing: “Myron Gaines, one of the hosts of the Fit and Fresh Podcast, is known for spreading vile antisemitism and misogyny to his more than 1.5 million subscribers. In one his latest episodes, he asked a group of young Americans for their thoughts on Hitler. Their answers and comments are beyond shocking. But what isn’t shocking is that Gaines did nothing to intervene. In fact, he reveled in it, egged it on, and often nodded in agreement. Platforming such extreme hatred and misinformation is irresponsible and disgusting – and it’s not ok.”
Online antisemitism on the rise
The controversy surrounding the recent podcast episode comes amid a broader and deeply concerning trend of escalating antisemitic content on social media, particularly on alternative platforms where oversight is minimal or entirely absent. In recent years, a growing number of online “influencers” and content creators have turned hate speech into a full-blown industry, using provocative rhetoric, dark humor and conspiracy theories to spread their message.
Among the most prominent figures is Jackson Hinkle, an openly antisemitic internet personality who, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas on October 7, 2023 has disseminated extreme anti-Israel propaganda to millions of followers on the X platform, praising Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and other terrorist groups.
Hinkle, who brands himself a “patriot,” has effectively become a one-man propaganda machine, pumping out disinformation about Jews and Israelis. His content continues to reach wide audiences and, despite numerous complaints, his account remains active at the time of writing.
Other influencers aligned with far-right movements in the U.S. and Europe employ similar tactics—pushing the boundaries of acceptable discourse and distorting history under the guise of “tough questions.” The combination of viral content, graphic imagery and lack of platform regulation makes tackling the phenomenon particularly challenging.
Alternative platforms as safe havens
While platforms owned by Google and Meta—such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram—have implemented varying degrees of content moderation (with mixed results), many extremist and antisemitic influencers have migrated to more permissive platforms like X and Rumble. These networks, which market themselves as havens of “true free speech” free from “elite interests,” have become fertile ground for extreme propaganda of all types—antisemitic, racist and even violent.
At the same time, there are growing reports that, despite public disavowals by credit card companies and mainstream advertisers, some continue to work with these platforms and figures indirectly. This allows the influencers to monetize their content and expand their reach, raising difficult questions about corporate responsibility and accountability in the digital age.
