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Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and far-right commentator Nick Fuentes experienced a swift removal from YouTube, with newly created accounts for both figures taken down mere hours after their appearance. This action unfolds despite widespread anticipation among some that the platform was poised to begin reinstating a broader array of previously banned creators.
The swift takedowns quickly ignited responses from their respective circles. Breanna Morello of Jones’s Infowars network asserted in a Thursday video, “The censorship war is still on it looks like. They’re trying to stop Infowars. They’re trying to stop Alex Jones.”
Similarly, Nick Fuentes voiced his frustration on X, stating, “Sounds a little ridiculous. Can’t we just have free speech? I’ve been banned since February 2020 when I was 21 years old.”
Misconceptions Around YouTube’s Pilot Program
The incident follows a week of heightened expectations, particularly from figures on the political right. These expectations were fueled partly by a letter shared by Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee. The letter, from YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, indicated a forthcoming pilot program. This program would offer a chance for some creators, banned for repeated violations of now-defunct COVID-19 and election-related content policies, to return to the platform.
However, Jordan’s interpretation on X appeared to overstate the program’s scope, suggesting it would “offer ALL creators previously kicked off YouTube due to political speech violations to return to the platform.”
YouTube clarified its position on X, explaining that the reinstatement initiative has not yet launched. “We terminated these channels as it’s still against our rules for previously terminated users to start new channels,” the company posted. “The pilot program for terminations that many people have been referencing this week isn’t available yet and will be a limited pilot program to start. We’ll have more on how the program will work, who is eligible, and how creators can access it soon.”
Eligibility Concerns and Past Violations
Even once the pilot program becomes active, it remains uncertain if Jones or Fuentes would qualify. Alex Jones was initially removed from YouTube in 2018, predating the pandemic, for severe violations including hate speech and child endangerment. Nick Fuentes faced his ban in 2020, also for hate speech.
The removal of the new channels, nonetheless, drew criticism from some quarters. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Trump administration ally and Ohio gubernatorial candidate, drew parallels between the removals and past incidents of censorship. Ramaswamy highlighted the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who briefly faced removal from air following pressure during the Trump administration.
“Our country is at its best when we’re able to hear one another. Nick Fuentes & Jimmy Kimmel probably don’t like me, for different reasons,” Ramaswamy wrote on X. “I don’t care. It’s still un-American to muzzle the peaceful expression of opinions. And no, that’s not a legal point, it’s a cultural point.”