Update (1/5/24): Following months of antisemitic commentary, Ariel was formally removed from the Turning Point USA volunteer ambassador program on January 4, according to a screenshot she shared on X (formerly Twitter) of a text message from a Turning Point USA representative.
A Turning Point USA ambassador is pushing extreme antisemitism online following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. A Media Matters review also revealed that Morgan Ariel, who identifies herself as a representative of Turning Point USA in her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) bios and has appeared at their events, has a history of interacting with and defending white nationalists and extremists.
Ariel recently gained attention following Hamas’ attack for antisemitic comments she made about Daily Wire pundit Ben Shapiro, who she called “an Israel 1st Jesus hating big pharma shill.” When the Daily Dot reached out to Turning Point USA for comment on Ariel’s posts, a spokesperson denied that she is connected to the organization. (In replies to her attacks on Shapiro, Ariel stated, “I work for Jesus.”)
In various posts on X and Instagram, Ariel has repeatedly made antisemitic comments and pushed conspiracy theories about Israel and Jewish people.
(While the term “synagogue of Satan” does come from the Bible, comparing Jewish people to the devil is a common antisemitic trope.)
Ariel has supported and defended white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, even boosting his new account on X.
Ariel made headlines last month for appearing on Peters’ show and calling for the executions of pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce for supporting COVID-19 vaccines. (Ariel previously appeared on the program to attack the LGBTQ community and right-wing host Denis Prager.)
Ariel also has her own show on Rumble, the right-wing streaming site that markets itself as a “free speech” YouTube competitor while serving as a safe haven for white nationalists, antisemites, and QAnon conspiracy theorists.
In a recent video, Ariel defended Peters and continued her attacks on Swift, claiming that the singer is “supporting the devil” by advocating for LGBTQ rights.
Turning Point USA and its founder, Charlie Kirk, are not new to pushing antisemitism and working with extremists:
- The organization previously “courted” antisemitic Holocaust denier “Hotep Jesus” (real name Bryan Sharpe) for its events. A Turning Point USA official later said the organization only cut Sharpe from its events because of “the optics.”
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In 2019, Turning Point USA reportedly cut ties with “brand ambassador” and right-wing influencer Ashley St. Clair for appearing with neo-Nazis and white nationalists. (St. Clair recently claimed that she is still working with the organization.)
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After rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) went on unhinged pro-Nazi rants, Kirk invited “Students for Ye” organizer Daniel Schmidt on his show to complain about “white genocidal rhetoric.” Schmidt has a history of making antisemitic comments.
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An Iowa Turning Point chapter invited Fuentes to speak on campus in 2019, where he spoke on “preserving the ‘European texture’ of the United States while taking jabs at the intelligence, civilization and self-control of various marginalized groups.”
Turning Point is currently being rocked with criticism from the right over Kirk’s own responses to Hamas’ attack.
