Sharp Uptick in Antisemitic Content
For example, the antisemitic account TheOfficial1984 posted a compilation video of Adolf Hitler and modern-day examples of people making Nazi salutes with the caption “If this doesn’t inspire you and fill you with hope for a better future and a better America…. Chances are…. you are jewish. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Additionally, Lucas Gage, who has previously been banned from X for posting a video of himself burning the Talmud, a sacred Jewish book, took the advantage of the chatter to promote his newsletter, enticing people with the caption “learn from me how to use Hitler correctly.”
The increase in Holocaust-related conversation stemmed from a debate over a gesture made by Elon Musk on Monday. The gesture sparked heated debates and strong reactions from different groups of users over interpretations of his action.
Social media quickly filled with images of people making gestures appearing to be a Nazi salute, as the conversation became politicized with both sides of the aisle weaponizing this moment.
As tracked by the Command Center, posts promoting Holocaust mockery and denial are becoming a larger part of mainstream conversations online. Many people are pointing out that jokes, puns or memes about the Holocaust minimize the evil of Nazi crimes and insult the memory of the victims.
In many cases, these jokes use Holocaust denial language and can often lead to glorification of the Holocaust and Nazi party members.
Troubling Increase in Nazi Glorification
In November 2024, FCAS reported on a related troubling trend on social media: a rise in conversations describing Adolf Hitler in a positive light.
Last year, social media conversations around the Holocaust increased 25% and mentions of Hitler were up 73%. As jokes and denial of the Holocaust continue to increase in mainstream social media, we can likely expect an increase in these posts glorifying Hitler.
The social media discussions of the past week are a stark reminder of the need for increased education around the Holocaust to combat the increase of its normalization in social conversations.
