ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt told an audience at Sinai Temple he is working with Sen. Ted Cruz to try to "take down" Tucker Carlson and other right‑wing critics of Israel. Greenblatt condemned Nick Fuentes as an unapologetic racist and anti‑Semite and criticized former President Trump for hosting Fuentes at Mar‑a‑Lago in 2022. He said the ADL’s work focuses on providing data and tools to urge platforms to enforce their terms and remove hateful content, and stressed that conservatives must help push back against antisemitism on the right. Clips of the event went viral, Carlson pushed back on social media, and Sinai Temple later removed the video from YouTube.
ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt Says He’s Working With Ted Cruz To ‘Take Down’ Tucker Carlson — Remarks Stir Backlash
At a Saturday event hosted by Sinai Temple, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said he is coordinating with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to try to "take down" Fox host Tucker Carlson and other right‑wing critics of Israel. The comments, delivered during a conversation with Rabbi David Wolpe, were later circulated online and drew swift public responses.
Key Remarks From the Event
Asked what the ADL was doing about Nick Fuentes, Greenblatt described him as "an open, unapologetic racist, homophobe, and more than anything, an anti‑Semite," adding that Fuentes—despite being Hispanic—has been able to amplify his message via platforms like X and other social media.
"I need people on the right to take down Tucker Carlson, so I’m trying to help Ted Cruz. I need people on the right to take down Nick Fuentes, so I’m trying to help people like Ben," Greenblatt said, referring to conservative figures who have pushed back against extremism.
Greenblatt also criticized former President Donald Trump for dining with Fuentes at Mar‑a‑Lago in 2022, saying such encounters make it harder to condemn hateful voices when public figures give them a platform.
ADL’s Approach
Greenblatt framed much of the ADL’s work as providing data, tools and behind‑the‑scenes pressure on platforms to enforce their terms of service and remove the most offensive hate speech. He emphasized that combating anti‑Semitism on the right is most effective when conservatives themselves take part in calling it out.
Responses and Aftermath
Tucker Carlson responded on social media, accusing a "Republican senator/presidential candidate" of collaborating with the "anti‑white ADL to suppress speech" and suggesting such alliances erode public trust. Greenblatt also singled out left‑wing commentator Hasan Piker, calling him "a revolting person" and proposing the nickname "Hamas Piker," while warning parents about Piker’s presence on streaming platforms and social networks.
After clips of the Sinai Temple event went viral, the synagogue removed the video from YouTube.
Context
The exchange highlights ongoing debates over platform moderation, political alliances, and the role advocacy groups play in addressing hate speech. Greenblatt’s comments—frank and provocative—underscore tensions across the political spectrum about how best to confront antisemitism and extremism online.
Help us improve.
