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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
This Viral Debate Clip Highlights A Scary Reality About Today's Conservatives
A viral clip from a debate between political commentator and journalist Mehdi Hasan and a self-proclaimed fascist is bringing to light some troubling realities about the conservative movement and the general level of public discourse today. Hasan appeared in the latest episode of Jubilee's 'Surrounded' series titled '1 Progressive vs 20 Far-Right Conservatives,' during which the former MSNBC host at one point debated a participant by the name of Connor. When asked to describe his ideal vision of the U.S., Connor referenced deporting people and then expressed a desire for a 'benevolent' autocrat who puts an end to American democracy. He also insisted that he would not be harmed by such a dictator and started to quote Nazi theorist Carl Schmitt, leading Hasan to ask if he was a fan of the Nazis. 'We may have to rename this show because you're a little bit more than a far-right Republican.'@mehdirhasan called out a self-proclaimed 'fascist' on the show 'Surrounded' where he debated 20 far-right Republicans. — Zeteo (@zeteo_news) July 20, 2025 'I frankly don't care about being called a Nazi at all,' Connor responded, later adding, 'Well, they persecuted the church a little bit. I'm not a fan of that.' Asked about Nazi persecution of Jews, he said, 'I certainly don't support anyone's human dignity being assaulted.' And when Hasan suggested that his views make him a fascist, he proudly replied, 'Yeah, I am.' This particular exchange highlights a number of disturbing aspects of the modern far-right movement, particularly the extremist vision of government and dangerous delusions about how such a system would impact people. 'I don't think that it is terribly rational to believe that one couldn't be harmed by a benevolent dictator, should one rise to take power,' Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor of political science at the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, told HuffPost. 'Even 'benevolent' dictators have rarely remained so throughout their tenure in office and have a track record of hurting even those who are closest to them.' When Connor shared his vision of government under a 'benevolent' autocrat, he stated, 'I'm not going to be a part of the group that he kills.' But this viewpoint is particularly misguided and dangerous, in addition to callous. 'Excessive executive power is always dangerous because of the potential for capriciousness,' said Todd Belt, professor and political management program director at The Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University. 'The autocrat who is friendly to you one day may not be the next. Also, power corrupts.' With this in mind, Neiheisel emphasized the value of a critical and engaged citizenry. 'I would also say that a healthy distrust of power is, on balance, a positive orientation to have in a democratic public,' he said. To maintain this kind of critical thinking and healthy distrust, however, the public must be educated and informed about historic events and politics. 'I think it is terrifying that fascism seems to be making a comeback among some young people who are terribly misinformed about what awful, immoral, murderous regimes they were,' said John Jost, a professor of psychology and politics at New York University. 'This guy seems to think that Francisco Franco was a good Catholic guy, but he is either completely clueless or in massive ideological denial. Even the slightest bit of research reveals that Franco killed much more than 100,000 innocent people, and it took many decades for the Spanish people to get over it, if indeed they have.' Jost published a paper in September titled 'Both-Sideology Endangers Democracy and Social Science' ― in which he points to evidence that 'false, misleading, and poor-quality information is more likely to populate conservative-rightist than liberal-leftist media ecosystems.' Thus, misleading and incorrect information about dictators like Franco can more easily spread and give rise to troubling views on government. 'The kind of rhetoric on display from the person Hasan was questioning appears to have become more prevalent on the right in recent years,' Neiheisel said. 'Although he doesn't say as much, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the individual in the clip is motivated by a desire to see some flavor of Christian dominion or theonomy come into practice in the United States.' He added that many others have come to support autocratic rule without a religious motivation ― as seen with influential far-right blogger Curtis Yarvin's argument for an American monarchy. 'I think that pro-fascist guy's comment about having a benevolent dictator speaks to a bit of a larger phenomenon that's happening in the United States where some portion of the electorate hungers for a strongman,' said Matt Dallek, a political historian and professor at The Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University. He pointed to a far-right vision of an all-powerful figure who expels immigrants, fosters a more white and native-born population, and unleashes law enforcement to go after alleged bad actors like 'the corrupt evil Deep State' with Democrats and 'Never Trumpers' and whoever the enemy of the moment is. 'That sentiment has become increasingly mainstream over the past few years ― that if you are a citizen, you're native born, you're white, you're a man and you have resources, then the authoritarian forces that this benevolent dictator will unleash will only target the bad guys, not you,' Dallek said. This delusional viewpoint in service of a racist, extremist and even murderous vision for the future suggests public discourse might be reaching new lows ― which begs the question of whether these kinds of 'debates' involving extremists are in any way helpful or productive for the participants, viewers or society at large. 'I'm not sure how helpful these types of debates are,' Neiheisel said. 'The only possible way in which the exchange between Hasan and Connor could be seen as a normative good from my perspective is that it might showcase that there actually are people who believe what Connor professes to believe about what government ought to look like. Acknowledging that there are those who would turn the country into more of an autocratic state is the first step en route to understanding why this impulse exists.' Belt noted that rather than a censoring or 'cancelling' approach, the 'Surrounded' debate setup takes the position of 'counterspeech' ― responding directly to harmful or offensive speech and countering it with more speech. 'While this approach aligns with constitutional values theoretically, I think that in practice it does not achieve the thoughtfulness of dialogue implicit in the counterspeech doctrine,' he said. 'The incessant interruptions make the video look more like a game of who can score the most points by making the other look as radical as fast as they can, and that's not really thoughtful dialogue. I think this video appeals to audiences who are looking for someone to take the other side 'down a peg' ― there's a real schadenfreude appeal to this type of video.' He added that progressives disillusioned with the Democratic Party's 'milquetoast' response to Trump's second term might find particular satisfaction in these kinds of viral clips and seeing someone take their arguments more forcefully to the other side. 'On one hand, the old Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis shared the idea that 'sunlight is the best disinfectant,' and typically those who believe in free speech believe you counter bad speech with good speech,' Dallek said. 'So I understand the impulse of taking on someone with really hateful, horrific views, and trying to expose that person for holding those extremist positions.' On the other hand, he believes it is 'a little bit nuts' to platform someone who is a self-proclaimed fascist and seemingly refuses to condemn Hitler and the Holocaust. Sure, this choice might draw attention and traffic to your clip and to your platform, but at what cost to humanity? (For his part, Hasan has said the producers did not communicate the extreme nature of the conservative participants' views to him ahead of his appearance.) 'I don't think much, if anything, can be gained by providing a platform and legitimizing such extreme, repugnant views via a debate with someone who is so far out because you're helping put these horrific ideas ― which have mostly been confined to the fringe since World War II ― into the mainstream,' Dallek said. 'And in the age of the internet and social media, some people will listen to others who express hateful or conspiratorial rhetoric, and they will act on these ideas in violent ways. So it's really kind of perilous and a way of further debasing a public discourse that has already been debased quite dramatically.' He emphasized that he has a lot of respect for nonprofits, civic organizations and individuals who attempt to bridge divides in the United States by having conversations with right-wing Trump supporters in which they seek to listen and understand why people believe systems are rigged or corrupt. 'I think that kind of dialogue can be productive and is important, but it's very different from what seems to me to be an almost Jerry Springer-esque pie-throwing contest with a self-described fascist,' Dallek noted. 'That's a bad idea if you want to have a serious conversation about the divisions in the U.S. The country is awash in hateful, dehumanizing rhetoric, and these ideas have become more mainstream. Platforming a self-described fascist only serves to further that process.' Related... Former MSNBC Host's Reaction To Right-Winger Calling Self A 'Fascist' Goes Viral Trump Called MAGA Supporters 'Stupid' — But Do They Even Care? Experts Weigh In. Trump Leveled A Baffling Threat At Rosie O'Donnell — Experts Explain Why It's Truly Terrifying
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man issued chilling threat to nan before launching crossbow 'revenge attack'
A grim 'revenge attack' was carried out by a man in Merseyside in which he shot a crossbow five times at a grandmother's property while her grandchildren were inside A man issued a chilling threat to a grandma before carrying out a "revenge attack" with a crossbow, which saw him fire on her house while her grandchildren were inside. The 'very dangerous' weapon was used by Neil Spencer, who shot five times at the property. Some of the bolts were shot directly at the grandmother and one of her daughters. Spencer carried out his act in retaliation for his own children having apparently been bullied. One of the victims says she "still repeats in her head what could have happened if the bolt hit her". Spencer, meanwhile, is said to have been left "disappointed and ashamed" over his "misguided and stupid enterprise". Spencer admitted making threats with an offensive weapon, which was never recovered by police, and two counts of criminal damage. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey Montirex t-shirt, he was jailed for 18 months and handed an indefinite restraining order. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Spencer had attended the home of Laura Connor, where she lived with her two daughters and son, on Madryn Avenue in Kirkby, Merseyside, around two weeks earlier on May 20 this year. On this occasion, the 43-year-old, of Eastfield Walk, was said to have threatened in relation to the son: "Tell him if he comes round to my ex bird's house, I'll come round with my mates." Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, described how all four occupants were then present at the same address at the time of the subsequent "revenge attack" along with Ms Connor's grandchildren, who were aged as young as four. Spencer returned to the property at around 8.30am on June 1 wearing a balaclava and armed with a crossbow shouting: "Grass, where are they?" This led to Ms Connor replying "what the f*** are you doing?" from an upstairs bedroom. The "irate" defendant then aimed the weapon in her direction and fired it as she closed the window, with the bolt becoming lodged within the pane of glass. Spencer followed this up with a second shot when Ms Connor reopened the window before one of her daughters, Tahlia Gill, appeared at another window and shouted "get away from my house", Liverpool Echo reports. The armed man then turned his attention to her, responding "where are they?" before firing another bow in her direction. Another shot was then fired at the front door. When a fifth missed and landed in the front garden, Spencer jumped onto Ms Gill's car and smashed the windows. Around £600 worth of damage was caused to a Ford Fiesta. In a statement which was read out to the court on her behalf, she said: "It was the most serious and dangerous thing to ever happen to me and my family. It left me extremely frightened and paranoid. "I didn't deserve this. The fact that my family and I were in the house when this happened, including children, still fills me with anxiety. I still find it hard to believe I had a weapon fired at me. I still repeat in my head what could have happened if the bolt hit me. "I also think how helpless we would have been if he had come in the house and attacked us. Me and my family are seriously affected by this. The atmosphere in the household has completely changed since this incident. No one has the right to put me and my family through this. I hope they pay for what they've done." Sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC said: "This formed what has accurately been described as some form of revenge attack as a result of a previous incident. You did not come round with your mates, but you came round with a crossbow, a very dangerous weapon capable of causing serious injury. "You deliberately fired the crossbow on five occasions. The impact of your offending was very clearly recorded in the victim personal statement of Tahlia Gill. Having seen the footage, it is wholly unsurprising that she and other members of the household were terrified. Tom Challinor, defending, told the court: "Mr Spencer is a man with a bad criminal record. Between the ages of 13 and 22, he was before the courts regularly. To his credit, he has put regular offending behind him. "If one was to put aside two offences of cannabis possession, in relation to which he was fined in 2019 and 2021, there is a gap of 20 years from his last offence before the court in 2004 and an offence of battery against his ex-partner in 2024. While it is difficult to submit that he had turned over a new leaf, he had, to a large extent, put that offending behind him. "It is for that reason that he is really disappointed and ashamed that he is back before the courts again. This is no excuse, but it is the reason why he finds himself here. The reason for the commission of these offences was due to his children being bullied. He was sensible enough to call the police but, in his view, they did nothing, so he embarked on this misguided, stupid and dangerous enterprise. "If he is sent to prison today, he is not going to get the help that he needs. He has already served seven weeks on remand. The clang of the prison door has already had its effect. He is living in stable accommodation. If he receives a sentence of more than 12 months then he will lose his home and all of the stability that goes with it." Sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC said: "This formed what has accurately been described as some form of revenge attack as a result of a previous incident. You did not come round with your mates, but you came round with a crossbow, a very dangerous weapon capable of causing serious injury. "You deliberately fired the crossbow on five occasions. The impact of your offending was very clearly recorded in the victim personal statement of Tahlia Gill. Having seen the footage, it is wholly unsurprising that she and other members of the household were terrified. "You have a bad criminal record and recently committed an offence of battery, which resulted in you receiving a short custodial sentence. I cannot ignore the period of time when you remained out of trouble for a significant period of time. That was to your credit. "The pre-sentence report does put forward an arguable case that rehabilitation may be possible, and I recognise the impact that any sentence of imprisonment may have on you and your family members. But, at the end of the day, I have to say that I regard this offence as so serious that only immediate custody is appropriate for it."
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Winnipeg Jets face crucial contract decision on Kyle Connor ahead of free agency
Photo Via Getty Images With one year left on his current deal, Kyle Connor's future with the Winnipeg Jets is coming into sharp focus. The high-scoring winger is expected to command a significant raise, and the Jets have a big decision to make. With over $10 million in cap space and key contracts expiring soon, Winnipeg must decide how far it's willing to go to keep one of its most consistent offensive weapons. Kyle Connor's next contract could exceed $12 million AAV as Winnipeg Jets weigh future Kyle Connor, who turns 29 in December, is entering the final year of his contract with a cap hit of just over $7.1 million. NHL insider Frank Seravalli estimates Connor's next deal could range between $11 million and $12 million AAV, making him one of the highest-paid wingers in the league. For Winnipeg, this is a defining moment, one that could shape the team's future for years. Connor is coming off a career-high 41-goal, 97-point season, further solidifying his status as a top-tier forward. Since his full-time NHL debut in 2017–18, he's been nearly automatic for 30+ goals and 30+ assists. Losing him would be a major blow to Winnipeg's scoring depth and playoff hopes. The Jets have managed their salary cap efficiently, with over $10.5 million in space and contracts like Gustav Nyquist ($3.25M) and Luke Schenn ($2.75M) set to expire after this season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you should Ditch over 40 Learn More Undo That flexibility could go toward securing Connor's services long-term, if he's willing and if the Jets are ready to commit big money. Winnipeg Jets also navigating key contract challenges with Cole Perfetti and cap space While Connor is the priority, Winnipeg must also address the future of restricted free agent Cole Perfetti, who is expected to land a bridge deal. Balancing both contracts without compromising the roster will be tricky, especially if Connor demands north of $12 million annually. The challenge is further compounded by the Jets' history, like many Canadian teams, particularly in the west, they've struggled to retain marquee American players. Connor fits that mold, which makes this negotiation even more delicate. The Winnipeg Jets are at a crossroads. Kyle Connor is in his prime and remains a critical part of their offensive core. Whether the team is willing to meet his projected asking price will determine not just his future, but the trajectory of the franchise itself. FAQs 1. When was Kyle Connor drafted into the NHL? Kyle Connor was drafted 17th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL Draft. 2. What position does Kyle Connor play? Kyle Connor plays as a left winger for the Winnipeg Jets. Also Read: NHL trade rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs exploring trades involving Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and Nazem Kadri For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Buzz Feed
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Connor From Jubilee Video Lost Job, Asks For Money
By now, you've surely seen clips of the viral Jubilee video where progressive journalist and author Mehdi Hasan debated 20 far-right conservatives. It was disturbing, to say the least. And one of the most controversial participants was Connor, a self-proclaimed fascist... ...who brought up Nazi theorist Carl Schmitt to defend his stance, and then refused to condemn Nazis. The clip was shared and discussed widely across social media. During an appearance on the Rift TV podcast, Connor gave an update, saying, "Unfortunately, I lost my job as a result. No one really is to blame for that. It's just the culture that kind of exists currently, surrounding the manner in which you're canceled for voicing a ... heterosexual, Christian, sort of moral belief." On the podcast, he said he condemns "the persecution of anyone, Jews included," but didn't want to "play" Mehdi's "game" because it was a "loaded question." After losing his job, Connor began crowdfunding on a GiveSendGo page with the title: "Fired for my Political Beliefs." He wrote, "Voicing fully legal traditional right wing political views results in real consequences. This is cancel culture and political discrimination on full display." At the time of publication, Connor has raised $36k and received 975 prayers??? Okay. People who gave donations also wrote comments supporting Connor and asking God to bless him. As you might imagine, the internet is having a field day with all this. Here's what people are saying: The entire video is up on Jubilee's YouTube page. For those of you who watched it, how did it make you feel? What are your thoughts or concerns? Share in the comments or in the anonymous form below.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Self-Described Fascist Begs for Donations After Claiming Viral Debate Got Him Fired
A man who admitted to being a fascist during a debate claims he's been fired from his job after sharing his 'traditional' right-wing political views, and is now asking for handouts. The man, who identifies himself as 'Connor' in a fundraiser asking for donations but uses the pseudonym Pinesap, was one of '20 far-right conservatives' who debated progressive broadcaster Mehdi Hasan as part of Jubilee's 'Surrounded' series. During the debate—which has been viewed almost 4 million times on YouTube alone—Connor said he believes in 'autocracy' and was asked by Hasan if he's a fan of the Nazis. 'I, frankly, don't care being called a Nazi at all,' Connor answered. Connor, who identified himself as a Catholic, also complained that the Nazis 'persecuted the church a little bit.' Asked about the Nazis' persecution of Jews specifically, Connor added: 'I certainly don't support anyone's human dignity being assaulted.' 'There was a little bit of persecution and stuff like that, which is bad,' he added, when Hasan pressed him on Jewish persecution again. 'We may have to rename this show,' Hasan said, 'Because you're a little bit more than a far-right Republican.' 'Hey, what can I say?' Connor replied with a smile. When Hasan suggested Connor could describe himself as a 'fascist,' Connor said: 'Yeah, I am,' before laughing maniacally and receiving applause from others in the debate. Connor now claims he was fired for his views and has launched a fundraising page on GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding site which has faced criticism for hosting extremist causes. 'I'm raising money as an emergency fund and for other expenses while I look for a new job,' the page reads, without providing details of the role or company he was supposedly fired from. 'Unfortunately, voicing fully legal traditional right-wing political views results in real consequences. This is cancel culture and political discrimination on full display.' The page has already blown past its original $15,000 goal, with contributions hitting just under $20,000 as of Tuesday morning. 'We need a white nation! It's our only future! Vive le Fascisme,' one donor wrote while contributing $88. The number 88 is a coded far-right symbol used by neo-Nazis and white supremacists, which stands for 'Heil Hitler' as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet. 'We are rising and must look after one another,' another anonymous donor posted while chipping in $15. Connor discussed getting fired, without naming the company or his job title, during an appearance on the Rift Report podcast on Monday. 'Well, unfortunately, I lost my job as a result. And no one really is to blame for that,' he said of the debate. 'It's just the culture that kind of exists currently surrounding the manner in which you're canceled for voicing [...] any heterosexual, Christian, sort of moral belief that goes beyond sort of the secularism and the relativism that we're so used to in our time.' Connor did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. Solve the daily Crossword
