Jaden McNeil
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Jaden McNeil | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jaden Patrick McNeil May 17, 1999 |
| Education | Kansas State University |
| Occupation | Online streamer |
| Movement | Groypers (2020–2022)[1] Independent (2022–present) |
Jaden Patrick McNeil (born May 17, 1999) is an American far-right[2] commentator and online streamer. Known for his controversial takes on society and politics. His views lean heavily into white nationalism, often cloaked under the guise of "America First" rhetoric, focusing on themes like closed borders, strong Christian values, and traditional families. McNeil has stirred significant controversy with insensitive remarks about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter, which led to widespread condemnation and calls for his expulsion from Kansas State University.
In 2021, the Anti-Defamation League described McNeil as an "America First" Groyper.[3] He is most notable for being the former Turning Point USA chapter president of Kansas State University.[4] He is the founder and former president of America First Students.[5] McNeil was formerly treasurer of the America First Foundation, a nonprofit organization which organizes AFPAC (an annual conference associated with the Groyper movement) and other political events.[6][7]
He was described by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a "sidekick personality" of Nick Fuentes. In May 2022, he broke ties with Fuentes and the Groyper movement.[8] During a podcast, McNeil stated that after "years as a loyal footsoldier to Fuentes," he was left with "no money, no friends, and no prospects" due to this association.
Career
[edit]In January 2020, Groyper and former leader of Kansas State University's Turning Point USA chapter Jaden McNeil formed the Kansas State University organization America First Students. The group, which shares a name with Nick Fuentes' America First podcast, is part of the Groypers.[9]
On June 25, 2020, one month after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, McNeil posted to Twitter a tweet which purported to "congratulate" Floyd on being one-month drug free. After KSU condemned the tweet, staff and students of KSU called for McNeil to be expelled.[10] KSU's football team also boycotted the school due to the inaction from higher ups on reprimanding McNeil. McNeil remained unapologetic and was not expelled.[11][better source needed] McNeil is no longer a student at KSU.[12]
McNeil and Fuentes were both present during the January 6 United States Capitol attack in early 2021. Photographs and video from the event showed both men were present in the crowd outside the Capitol building, although it is unknown whether they entered. At 1:15 pm, McNeil tweeted "They just tear gassed us at the Capital [sic]. BLM can burn, loot, and murder but we aren’t allowed to protest a stolen election."[13] Immediately prior to the riot, McNeil had attended Donald Trump's rally alongside other white nationalist personalities.[14] McNeil also retweeted videos that showed him outside the Capitol during the riot.[13]
On April 30, 2022, McNeil resigned from his position as treasurer of the America First Foundation, and has since feuded with Fuentes and the Groypers.[1][15] In an interview on a podcast called Kino Casino on May 6, McNeil claimed that his role as treasurer was in name only, with Fuentes in control of the organization's finances. The group's finances had been severely affected by Fuentes' and McNeil's involvement with the rallies leading up to the Capitol attack, and at the time of McNeil's resignation, Fuentes was under federal investigation.[1] In the same interview, McNeil and another former employee of the America First Foundation, Simon Dickerman, made numerous other claims about Fuentes, accusing Fuentes of having "brainwashed" his followers, faking his Catholicism, working as an informant for the FBI, and being a closeted homosexual.[16] Since splitting with Fuentes, McNeil has held the same far-right views, and does livestreams covering news, right-wing drama, and his former political organizations.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Thomas, Judy (May 13, 2022). "Former Kansas State student steps down from white nationalist organization amid rift". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
- ^ Dome, AJ (January 8, 2021). "Far-right figure seen at US Capitol no longer enrolled at K-State". The Mercury. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ "Extremists Engage in Political Violence During Pro-Trump Rallies". Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ Garcia, Rafael (April 2, 2019). "Turning Point USA tried influencing elections at K-State. SGA just allocated them $3,000 to host speakers on campus". The Collegian. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ Dryden, Dene (June 26, 2020). "Students react to 'hateful rhetoric' from America First Students president with petition, planned protest". The Collegian. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Far-Right Livestreamer Who Attended Capitol Insurrection Got Federal Pandemic Relief Funds". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ^ "Far-Right Extremists Gather in Florida for CPAC Spinoff Alongside Sitting Congressman". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
The Feb. 26 event also marked one of the first to be organized under the auspices of Fuentes' new nonprofit organization, the America First Foundation, which was registered in mid-2020.
- ^ "Pro-Trump White Nationalist Group Facing Key Desertions". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Judy L. (February 11, 2020). "Report: White nationalists turn focus to college campuses, with trial run at K-State". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Student Leader's Offensive Statement About George Floyd Prompts Kansas State Football Players To Speak Out". God. June 27, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ Alonso, Jorge (June 27, 2020). "Entire Kansas State Football Team Boycotting School After Student Mocks George Floyd On Twitter". BroBible. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Colleges weigh taking action against incendiary comments in aftermath of Capitol attack". www.insidehighered.com. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Thomas, Judy (January 7, 2021). "Recent K-State student known for offensive George Floyd tweets attends Capitol riot". The Kansas City Star.
- ^ Gais, Hannah; Squire, Megan (February 24, 2022). "Far-Right Livestreamer Who Attended Capitol Insurrection Got Federal Pandemic Relief Funds". Southern Poverty Law Center.
- ^ Kim, Eddie (May 23, 2022). "Even Nicholas Fuentes' Friends Are Calling Him Out on His Bullshit". MEL Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ Breland, Ali (March 2023). "It Came From the Basement: How Nick Fuentes groomed a new generation of racist hate". Mother Jones. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Pepe Crosses and Bon Iver Songs: Inside the Youth Christian Ultranationalism Movement". www.vice.com. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.