The phrase “Jews control ____” reflects one of the oldest conspiracy theories, used online in moderate amounts for over a decade—until 2022. Since then, its usage has surged, growing from around 10,000 mentions per month to 45,000 this past month, the highest in five years.
The FCAS Command Center has also noted a steady and rapid rise in posts using these phrases. The alarming increase indicated conspiracy theories about Jewish control are becoming more common in mainstream conversation. For example, the use of the phrase “Jews control the world” increased by 60% in 2023, and then more than doubled in 2024.
The Command Center has registered a number of spikes in this conspiracy theory over the years, often prompted by celebrity incidents, with the term “Jews control the media” taking up the majority of mentions. For example, in July 2022 mentions jumped 560% following Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks about Jewish control over Hollywood and the media. While he faced backlash, many defended his rhetoric, fueling the conspiracy. Another spike in November 2023 followed after actress Melissa Barrera’s alleged removal from a franchise after she made similar claims. In the same timeframe, there was renewed interest in Osama Bin Laden’s “Letter to America,” which stated that Jews control America.
In January, this narrative manifested with claims such as “Jews control America,” “Jews control the U.S. government,” and “Jews control the media” trending online. It coincided with discussions around President Trump’s immigration policies and Dana White’s apology following Bryce Mitchell’s podcast comments.
Growing Pushback Emerges
However, the latest spike has taken a different turn. While some continue pushing the theory about Jewish control—citing incidents like an “anti-racism” conference in Queensland displaying antisemitic caricatures—others are actively challenging its legitimacy. Sarcastic claims such as “Jews control the waters” or “Jews control the weather” highlight its absurdity for many people. Others question why, if Jews control America, they struggle to shape media narratives or prevent criticism. One user remarked that if Jews truly controlled the world, they wouldn’t be working nine-to-five jobs or living in debt.
This shift suggests that while the conspiracy theory persists, more people are pushing back against its baseless claims.
