Business
Connor Estelle – Mehdi Hasan’s Viral Jubilee Debate: Connor Estelle Fired After Identifying as a Fascist
Table of Contents
Controversial Jubilee Debate Goes Viral as Self-Described Fascist Loses Job
A recent debate hosted by left-wing journalist Mehdi Hasan on Jubilee’s platform has sparked widespread outrage after one participant, Connor Estelle, openly identified as a fascist and expressed extreme far-right views—leading to his termination from his job. The debate, which has amassed millions of views, featured Hasan confronting 20 far-right conservatives on topics like Trump’s constitutional defiance, immigration, and U.S. involvement in Gaza.
Key Moments from the Viral Debate –
The nearly two-hour debate has been widely shared across X (Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube, with several clips going viral:
- Connor Estelle’s Shocking Admission: When Hasan asked if he was a fascist, Estelle replied, “Yeah, I am,” to applause from fellow participants. He also stated he didn’t care about being called a Nazi, opposed democracy, and advocated for an autocratic Catholic theocracy.
- “Go Back” Remark: One participant told Hasan, an immigrant, that he should “have to go”—a clip that garnered 10 million views on X.
- White “Genocide” Claim: Another debater claimed white people in the U.S. are facing “genocide”, a clip that received 4 million views.
- Immigration Hypocrisy: A participant who opposed immigration later admitted her own parents were immigrants, sparking backlash.
Connor Estelle Fired After Debate Backlash
Shortly after the debate, Connor Estelle announced in an interview with RiftTV that he had been fired from his job due to his controversial statements. He blamed his termination on “cancel culture”, claiming he was punished for expressing “heterosexual, Christian, moral beliefs.”
Forbes confirmed with VeUP, a cloud engineering firm, that Estelle was a subcontractor and was let go by the core contractor, not directly by VeUP.
Fundraiser for Connor Estelle Raises Over $29,000
Following his firing, Estelle launched a fundraiser on a Christian crowdfunding platform, seeking $15,000 in emergency funds while he searches for a new job. Surprisingly, the campaign has exceeded its goal, raising over $29,000, with donors leaving comments such as:
- “It’s okay to be white.”
- “We need a white nation! It’s our only future! Vive le Fascisme!”
The fundraiser has further fueled debates over free speech, extremism, and financial support for controversial figures.
Mehdi Hasan Responds to the Debate Fallout
After the debate went viral, Hasan expressed surprise at the extremism of some participants, stating on X (Twitter):
- “I did not know some of these folks would be actual outright open fascists.”
- “Jubilee cast these folks, not me!”
At the end of the debate, Hasan criticized bad-faith arguments, saying:
“Free speech doesn’t mean you need to give credibility or oxygen or a platform to people who don’t believe in human equality.”
Criticism of Jubilee for Platforming Extremists
Many viewers have condemned Jubilee for giving a platform to far-right figures, with accusations that the media company knowingly spreads extremist rhetoric for clicks.
- One X user with 44,000 likes accused Jubilee of “lying to its guests” by not disclosing the nature of the debate.
- Another post with 30,000 likes called for Jubilee to be “demonetized” on YouTube for “spreading Nazi propaganda.”
- Matt Bernstein, a left-wing activist, said he refused an invitation to appear on Jubilee, arguing that platforms promoting fascism should not be monetized.
Who Is Connor Estelle?
While Connor Estelle has not publicly shared extensive personal details, his far-right views and open embrace of fascism have made him a controversial figure following the debate. His statements have drawn comparisons to historical fascist ideologies, raising concerns about the normalization of extremist rhetoric in online debates.
Who Is Mehdi Hasan?
Mehdi Hasan is a prominent left-wing journalist, former MSNBC host, and founder of the media company Zeteo. Known for his sharp debating skills, Hasan has written for The Guardian, hosts podcasts for Al Jazeera, and authored the book “Win Every Argument” (2023).
What Is Jubilee?
Jubilee is a YouTube-based media company with 10 million subscribers, known for provocative debate formats that pit individuals against groups with opposing views. Their most popular series include:
- “Middle Ground” – Opposing sides find common beliefs.
- “Odd One Out” – Participants guess who doesn’t fit in (e.g., finding the meat-eater among vegans).
- “Debate” Series – Like Hasan’s viral showdown, where one person debates multiple opponents.
Conclusion: The Impact of the Viral Debate
The Jubilee debate has reignited discussions on:
- Free speech vs. platforming extremists
- Corporate consequences for controversial statements
- The ethics of viral debate formats
While Connor Estelle’s firing has been celebrated by some, his successful fundraiser shows that far-right ideologies still find financial backing. Meanwhile, Jubilee faces mounting criticism over whether its content crosses the line into dangerous radicalization.
As debates over fascism, cancel culture, and media responsibility continue, this incident highlights the power—and risks—of viral political discourse in the digital age.