Spotify says it has permanently removed white nationalist Nick Fuentes’ “America First” podcast for violating its hate-speech rules, but the controversial figure is not banned from appearing on the platform altogether.
The company responded to a Post inquiry this week after several social media accounts circulated incorrect claims that Fuentes was completely banned from Spotify despite his show being among the highest-trending podcasts.
“In 2020, we removed this show for repeated violations of our Platform Rules,” a Spotify spokesperson told The Post on Wednesday.
“Our policies are focused on content that violates our guidelines, not on creators themselves. Consequently, while this specific show and the attempts to re-upload it by multiple users are not permitted, the podcaster in question is not banned and still appears as a guest on other shows.”
Earlier this month, Spotify moderators took down “America First” episodes that fans tried to upload even though the very same programming was previously pulled for violating policies, the audio-streaming service stated.
The company’s rules prohibit any content “which incites hatred towards a person or group of people based on race or religion,” and users are barred from trying to re-upload removed material or create new accounts to dodge prior enforcement.
While Fuentes’ show is gone from the streaming giant, he still pops up as a guest on other podcasts including a recent appearance on comedian Dave Smith’s “Part of the Problem,” which remains available on Spotify.
Fuentes himself is not banned from the service and can upload new content so long as it does not violate platform rules, according to the platform.
Spotify’s decision puts it in the same camp as other major platforms — including Apple Podcasts and YouTube — which have pulled “America First” over hate speech and extremist rhetoric.
Social media platforms have repeatedly booted Fuentes, a far-right commentator and organizer known for promoting antisemitic views and participating in the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., since 2020.
Fuentes was not immediately available for comment.
The millennial Chicago native has made numerous inflammatory and antisemitic remarks over the years.
He has pushed conspiracy theories about supposed “Jewish control” of US politics, media and finance; denied the Holocaust; and called for what he described as a “holy war” against Jews.
Fuentes has also claimed the US government is “Jewish-occupied,” advocated for a Catholic theocracy and warned that Jews should “start being nice to people like us” or face violent consequences.
In broadcasts, Fuentes has also suggested that people he deems “evildoers” should face the death penalty, often coupling antisemitic statements with praise of Adolf Hitler and open Holocaust denial.
His rhetoric has drawn widespread condemnation from Jewish groups, political leaders and civil rights organizations for promoting hatred and violence.
Credit: Source link
