“Squad” member Representative Jamaal Bowman has allegedly been linked to a private YouTube account that subscribed to channels promoting controversial conspiracy theories, some of which are tied to antisemitism.
Reports from the Daily Beast suggest that the Bronx and Westchester Democrat was actively curating playlists under the alias “Inner Peace” as recently as last month.
The Daily Beast detailed that the Inner Peace channel was following numerous accounts that propagated unconventional beliefs ranging from aliens and flat Earth theory to UFOs and the Illuminati.
The Daily Beast noted that the channel featured imagery and footage from the Bronx middle school, where Bowman previously served as principal for a decade.
Some of the channels purportedly followed by Bowman, such as BreakThrough News, have been identified for disseminating Chinese and Russian propaganda.
Titles like “The American Takeover: How 2 Years of War Made Ukraine a US Colony” from BreakThrough News exemplify the nature of content hosted on these platforms.
BreakThrough News also hosts content critical of Israel, a stance consistent with Bowman’s perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Other channels, including DiEM25, Free Will, PoliticsJOE, and Real News Network, have showcased interviews with figures like anti-Semite Norman Finkelstein, whom Bowman praised during a panel discussion on the Israel-Hamas conflict earlier this year.
Afripost, another channel reportedly followed by Bowman, frequently shares speeches by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, known for his controversial remarks about Jews.
Farrakhan’s video titled “BLACKS ARE THE TRUE J£WS [sic]” reflects the propagation of antisemitic conspiracy theories by certain fringe groups.
Some accounts promoted content that delved into speculative topics such as alternate realities and extraterrestrial life.
For instance, videos like “6 Signs You’re Leaving The Matrix For The New Earth” from Wired Mind hint at a departure from conventional thought.
In response to the allegations, Bowman denied familiarity with the accounts or their content, emphasizing pressing issues like war casualties and economic hardships faced by many.
He stated, “There is a war going on that has killed tens of thousands of innocents and people here can’t afford rent and groceries, I think people care more about that than some convoluted story about videos that I haven’t even watched.”
However, Bowman’s past statements hinted at his interest in YouTube content, particularly when he introduced Finkelstein at an event in Westchester.
“I’m a bit starstruck,” Bowman admitted, indicating his admiration for Finkelstein’s work, which he claimed to watch frequently on YouTube.
Many of the channels under scrutiny boast substantial subscriber bases, indicating significant viewership.
Earlier this year, Bowman faced controversy when the Daily Beast uncovered an old blog from the early 2010s containing a poem with conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks.
The congressman later distanced himself from the writings, attributing them to a period of personal exploration.
“Well over a decade ago, as I was debating diving into a doctoral degree, I explored a wide range of books, films, and articles across a wide swath of the political spectrum and processed my thoughts in a personal blog that few people ever read,” Bowman clarified in a statement.
Bowman, now serving his second term, faces a challenging primary battle against Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
{Matzav.com}