It’s not surprising when the guy who’s been yelling about the horrors of late-stage capitalism on Instagram for the last five years turns his ire toward ICE. But something different has been happening over the past week or so, following the most recent shootings of civilians by federal agents — even accounts that stay laser focused on golfing, chopping wood, and playing cats like bongos have started to speak out.
The tenor on social media and Reddit took an even sharper turn yesterday, following the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE. Even the moderator of normally politics-free r/catbongos (a subreddit “Where gentlemen, gentlewomen, and gentlethems of quality gather to watch cats being played like bongos”) spoke out in a post where they declared that “If you still support Trump/ICE even slightly, you’re not welcome in this sub.”
That quilters on Instagram or a Facebook account dedicated to New England gravestones have decided enough, is enough, is one thing. But, judging from the comments, it seems like the government has lost the support of r/military as well. The subreddit is filled with angry posters decrying that “this is exactly what tyranny looks like” and sharing memes mocking Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. One poster claiming to be an active member of the US Army who has served for 21 years said, “these guys are against all we stand for as Americans. Modern day brownshirts.”
All across Reddit, subs are being inundated with anti-ICE posts. From r/Fauxmoi, to r/NFCNorthMemeWar, and r/DungeonCrawlerCarl. There’s even been some limited signs of revolt among the members of r/conservative, some of whom have taken issue with Kristi Noem’s description of Alexi Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and suggested that she should “just be quiet for a while.” And arguments have broken out among community members over perceived hypocrisy around the Second Amendment.
Some big names have also joined the chorus, including Joe Santagato of The Basement Yard podcast, who posted that what was occurring on the streets of Minneapolis was “legit horrifying.” And when someone told him to “Stay out of politics,” and “get back to spitting water out of your mouth and de-jumbling words with your idiot friends,” he shot back, “De-jumble this: ksuc ym slalb.”
Canadian wrestlers and social media influencers Chris and Patrick Vörös have spoken out previously about their anti-ICE views, but took the opportunity to remind people of the only two ICE agents they support. Educational YouTube channel Primer also took to X to say this is no longer about politics, but about the “fabric of society.”
Synthfluencers and music gear YouTubers have also spoken out, including Benn Jordan, Randall Taylor (Amulets), Bad Snacks, and Jason Mays, one of the hosts of Working Class Music. The United Musicians & Allied Workers has also called for the abolition of ICE. Many manufacturers have also thrown their support behind the people of Minneapolis, even if it turns off some of their potential customers, including Drolo, Chase Bliss, and Hungry Robot.
Canadian musician bbno$ decided to break his silence, even if it risked his visa and his current US tour, to throw his support behind the abolish ICE movement. Even Thoren Bradley, the Axe Man himself, whose whole schtick is being a ripped rural dude who chops wood, has decided to call out the hypocrisy of the Christian conservatives to his 10.7 million followers.
The National Basketball Players Association also released a statement, saying that it “stand(s) in solidarity with the people of Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.”
That creators like Hank Green are speaking out is no surprise. But when fitness influencers, duck-painting TikTokers, football subreddits, bourbon Instagramers, and even Second Amendment rights activists have finally broken their silence, it seems like the government has lost control of the narrative. No matter how hard they try to spin it.
Let us know in the comments what other creators and communities have begun to speakout.
Updates January 25th: Added additional information about Reddit communities, music gear manufacturers, and a statement from the NBPA.
