StopAntisemitism’s ‘Antisemite of the Year’ finalists include Tucker Carlson and Ms. Rachel, but not Nick Fuentes

JTA – Nick Fuentes says he feels snubbed by the controversial activist group StopAntisemitism, which neglected to include him among its finalists for “Antisemite of the Year”. 

The group’s finalists, announced on Sunday, 30 November, include conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, whose friendly interview with Fuentes has splintered the conservative movement. 

Other “nominees” include pro-Palestinian celebrities Ms. Rachel, Cynthia Nixon, and Marcia Cross; mixed-martial-arts athlete and Holocaust denier Bryce Mitchell; two personalities associated with left-wing network The Young Turks; and social media personalities on both the far left – Guy Christensen, and far right – Stew Peters. Followers are encouraged to vote for whomever they feel is most deserving. 

But Fuentes himself, the openly white nationalist and antisemitic livestreamer whose “groyper” movement has gained a toehold this year among young Republicans, was left off. 

“Why wasn’t I nominated for antisemite of the year?” Fuentes posted on X after the finalists were revealed, apparently wounded by the omission. 

In a follow-up post, StopAntisemitism said it didn’t nominate people more than once, and has nominated Fuentes in previous years. “While he was a finalist a few years back, his absence from this year’s cycle doesn’t erase his antisemitism. Rather, it allows us to focus attention on other individuals who are spreading hate,” the group wrote. 

A watchdog presence with more than 300 000 followers on X, StopAntisemitism regularly mobilises against activists and social media posts. The group has faced criticism for what some perceive as an inordinate focus on Muslim personalities, pro-Palestinian actions, and non-prominent individuals. Its defenders deny that, pointing out that StopAntisemitism also regularly spotlights neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers on the right. 

“From downplaying white supremacy to promoting the antisemitic ‘great replacement’ theory, Carlson has built a career turning extremist dog whistles into broadcast-ready talking points, legitimising voices that traffic in Holocaust revisionism, conspiracy, and hate,” StopAntisemitism wrote in its nomination of Carlson. 

The group nominated Ms. Rachel, the children’s YouTube personality who has become an outspoken advocate for children affected by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, because it said she “has used her massive platform to spread Hamas-aligned propaganda”. A left-wing group, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, defended Ms. Rachel, saying StopAntisemitism targeted her for expressing sympathy with Palestinians. 

Nixon was nominated for her “BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] activism”. She was listed in a film‑industry petition boycotting Israeli film institutions, and has been outspoken about civilian casualties in Gaza. Mitchell and Peters, meanwhile, have embraced open Holocaust denial. 

Last year’s “winner,” far-right pundit and conspiracy theorist Candace Owens, was also absent despite her recent resurgence promoting conspiracy theories accusing Israeli of involvement in Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Previous “winners” have included Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, as well as rapper Ye, and a board chairperson of Ben & Jerry’s, the progressive ice cream company founded by Jews. 

Since its inception in 2019, the “award” has always gone to a person of colour.