10 Reasons Why The Groypers Are So Controversial

10 Reasons Why the Groypers Are So Controversial

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re breaking down just what makes this controversial alt-right group so newsworthy.

Overt White Nationalist Ideology

Groypers have built their entire identity around an unapologetically white nationalist worldview. Followers claim that immigration, multiculturalism, and demographic change threaten quote-unquote “Western civilization,” and they frame racial identity as central to politics. This rhetoric has made headlines beyond extremist circles, with mainstream outlets reporting on Groypers’ growing presence at political events and online forums. While they market themselves as defenders of “traditional America,” their talking points echo decades-old white supremacist movements, given a facelift for younger audiences. Their determination to mainstream extremist narratives makes them more than a fringe curiosity: they represent a coordinated effort to bring hate-based ideology into the broader conservative conversation, one event disruption and viral livestream at a time.

Rampant Antisemitism & Holocaust Denial

At the heart of Groyper ideology is an obsession with antisemitic conspiracy theories. Nick Fuentes — more on him soon — has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the Holocaust, even mocking survivors. These claims aren’t just offhand remarks; they’re central to the movement’s worldview, which blames Jewish people for everything from immigration policy to cultural trends. Holocaust minimization, paired with coded rhetoric about “globalist elites,” cements Groypers’ place in a long lineage of antisemitic hate groups. What makes them uniquely dangerous is their ability to pair this rhetoric with meme culture, creating a toxic mix of humor and hate that makes Holocaust denial appear edgy and enticing to a younger generation.

Nick Fuentes’ Extremist Leadership

Fuentes is more than the movement’s figurehead: he is its architect. Media coverage has detailed Fuentes’ rise from obscure livestreamer to organizer of “America First” conferences and rallies, turning his personal brand into a pipeline for radicalization. His ability to fuse internet humor, contrarian politics, and explicit racism makes him an unusually effective recruiter. Fuentes’ leadership has attracted attention from watchdog organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, who’ve labeled him a white supremacist and extremist. By consolidating Groypers around his personality and content, Fuentes ensures their ideology stays consistent and provocative, all while cultivating a veneer of “intellectual debate” to mask hate speech. His charisma is the movement’s greatest asset — and most effective weapon.

Aggressive Targeting of Mainstream Conservatives

Groypers aren’t content to simply clash with the political left; they’ve made a name for themselves attacking fellow conservatives. This strategy became known as the “Groyper Wars,” a campaign to disrupt events hosted by groups like Turning Point USA and figures like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk. These confrontations were designed to pressure conservatives into adopting harsher stances on immigration, LGBTQ rights, and race. By heckling prominent figures and framing them as hacks and sellouts, Groypers positioned themselves as the true defenders of “real conservatism.” This tactic has paid off, elevating their visibility and influence. It’s not just a movement of trolls: it’s a coordinated push to drag mainstream conservatism further toward extremism.

Promotion of Homophobia & Anti-LGBTQIA+ Views

Groypers’ hostility toward LGBTQ rights is not subtle. Their livestreams, rallies, and social media posts are laced with slurs and warnings of societal collapse, echoing decades-old moral panics. Media coverage has documented how their rhetoric fuels a toxic environment for queer Americans, often under the guise of defending “traditional family values.” This hatred isn’t confined to fringe spaces; Groypers actively pressure conservative politicians to reject LGBTQ rights entirely, using the same ambush tactics seen in their broader “culture war” efforts. Their messaging resonates with radicalized, chronically online young men, creating a cycle of mockery and vitriol that treats queer people as cultural scapegoats. For Groypers, targeting LGBTQ communities is a core ideological pillar, not a side note.

Connection to the January 6th Capitol Attack

Groypers’ online rhetoric has often spilled into the real world. Nick Fuentes’ presence near the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th insurrection, with many of his associates participating in or cheering on the violence, is living proof of that. While the Groypers aren’t a centralized organization, their connection to this watershed moment in American extremism cemented their reputation as more than mere internet trolls. Their embrace of anti-democratic rhetoric and conspiracies about the 2020 election added fuel to the fire. Even after January 6th, Fuentes used his platform to defend participants and spread narratives that justify political violence. This connection makes it harder to dismiss Groypers as an online-only movement when their highly effective messaging inspires real action.

Use of Online Platforms to Spread Hate

One of the Groypers’ most effective strategies is turning extremism into a joke. Members of the community rely on memes, gaming culture references, and ironic humor to make white nationalist talking points seem palatable, even funny. By cloaking hate in irony, they sidestep mainstream moderation efforts and lure in younger audiences. New recruits may start by laughing at edgy jokes, only to be gradually exposed to Holocaust denial, racist pseudoscience, and authoritarian propaganda. The tactic of “weaponizing irony,” as some media outlets refer to it, has been perfected in the age of livestreams and TikTok clips. Their online culture is a sophisticated recruitment machine designed to radicalize — while deflecting criticism.

Normalizing Alt-Right Ideals

Groypers learned from the fall of the alt-right after 2017’s Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rather than marching with tiki torches, they branded themselves as clean-cut Christian nationalist. Nick Fuentes’ America First Political Action Conference (or AFPAC) serves as a counter to CPAC, presenting Groypers as a polished, intellectual movement rather than an angry, hateful mob. This calculated rebrand has allowed them to infiltrate mainstream conservative spaces without immediately raising alarms. Critics note that this strategy makes them uniquely dangerous: their rhetoric hasn’t changed, but their optics have. By presenting themselves as reasonable patriots, Groypers are shifting the Overton window to their considerable advantage, making far-right ideas seem almost mainstream.

America First — No Exceptions

The phrase “America First” is heavily loaded, with a long history dating back to isolationist and xenophobic movements of the 20th century. Groypers have revived it, using the slogan to cloak ethno-nationalist beliefs under patriotic language. Axios and the New York Times have reported that Fuentes’ rendition is designed to attract conservatives frustrated with traditional party politics, while pushing them toward increasingly extreme positions on race and immigration. This branding makes Groypers harder to challenge: opposing them can be spun as opposing patriotism. The slogan’s simplicity also makes it an effective recruitment tool, bridging the gap between mainstream conservatism and far-right extremism. For Groypers, “America First” isn’t a call for national pride; it’s a radical manifesto in disguise.

Using Christian Nationalism as a Shield for Extremism

Groypers frequently employ Christian rhetoric to justify their ideology, framing themselves as moral crusaders defending faith against so-called modern “decay.” Outlets like Salon and The Washington Post have documented how Fuentes and his followers use religion strategically, often conflating Christian values with ethno-nationalism. While not all Groypers are devout or even Christian, the branding gives their movement a veneer of righteousness, helping them appeal to religious conservatives wary of secular politics. This tactic isn’t new, but Groypers have modernized it for the digital age, merging livestream sermons with culture war talking points. By hiding extremism behind faith, they attempt to deflect criticism while building credibility among audiences already primed to see themselves as defenders of Western civilization.

What do you think of Groypers? Is there anything we missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!