Influencer performs Nazi salute, mocks Holocaust victims at Ohio University event

JTA — The influencer Myron Gaines visited Ohio University last Thursday as part of a national campus tour, performing a Nazi salute and claiming that the Holocaust’s death toll had been purposefully distorted.

Seated at a table on the campus of Ohio University wearing a hoodie that read “Let Em Cook – Oy Vey,” a meme mocking Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, Gaines greeted the students gathered with a Nazi salute before saying, “Number one, women are stupid, Jews control America and Blacks are criminals.”

Later during the event, Gaines, whose real name is Amrou Fudl, was asked by a Jewish attendee how many people he believed had been killed by the Holocaust, to which he replied: “271,000 at best.”

During the ensuing debate, Gaines attempted to cut off the student, saying, “Hold on one sec, Jew,” claimed that Israel had propagated lies about the Holocaust’s death toll to serve its “victim narrative” and denied evidence that rape occurred during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Referring to the war in Gaza, Gaines said, “If they could deny a genocide in 2023 all the way to 2026 with 1080p footage, what makes you think they won’t lie about a tragic event from World War II, from which they derive their victim narrative.”

Gaines’ visit to the school follows a series of incendiary campus appearances, including at the University of Florida and the University of South Carolina.

Best known for co-hosting the popular podcast “Fresh and Fit,” which centers on misogynistic views about dating and gender roles, Gaines has increasingly embraced antisemitic conspiracy theories since the summer of 2023, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

In October, Gaines defended a leaked group chat where Young Republicans operatives praised Adolf Hitler, writing on social media, “Yeah, we like Hitler. No one gives a f–k what you woke jews think anymore.” In January, Gaines was among a host of far-right influencers, including Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate, who drew outcry for singing along to Ye’s “Heil Hitler” at a Miami nightclub.

The Hillel chapter of Ohio University decried Gaines’ appearance on campus in a post on Instagram and hosted a lunch during the time period that he was slated to speak to offer students an alternative to his program, according to the Cleveland Jewish News.

“We are deeply troubled by the decision of our fellow Bobcats to invite a podcaster with a long and horrible track record of antisemitic, misogynistic and homophobic content,” the Ohio University Hillel wrote. “At a time when our students are feeling especially vulnerable due to rising antisemitism, this choice is especially concerning.”

The editorial board of the school’s student newspaper, The Post, criticized the university administration for not releasing a statement denouncing Gaines’ appearance in an op-ed published on Tuesday.

“A man who promotes antisemitic conspiracy theories, claims Jewish people control the world — as evident by the shirt reading ‘The Great Noticing’ worn by one of Gaines’ lackeys — and performs a Nazi salute on a college campus is not engaging in meaningful dialogue,” the op-ed read. “That is not a thoughtful debate; it is hate made into spectacle.”

In response to a request for comment from JTA, an Ohio University spokesperson said that while it was “not legally permitted to prohibit free speech, including controversial speech,” it was “aware of the ways in which some instances of protected speech can personally impact various members of our community” and had been in communication with the campus Chabad and Hillel chapters to “support impacted students, faculty and staff.”

“Moving forward, we remain committed to working alongside our University community, and within the established boundaries of the law, to foster a respectful campus environment that furthers our institutional mission and supports the success of our students, faculty and staff,” the statement read.