Zack “Asmongold” Hoyt, Popular Twitch Streamer, Banned for Racist Comments on Gaza Conflict

Zack “Asmongold” Hoyt, a high-profile Twitch streamer and YouTuber, has been banned from his secondary Twitch channel, zackrawrr, after making inflammatory comments about Muslims and Palestinians during a livestream. Hoyt’s remarks, perceived as racist and dehumanizing, ignited outrage on social media, prompting calls for action from the gaming community. Twitch responded by banning his zackrawrr channel, which had close to 2 million followers, citing violations of their community guidelines. His main Twitch channel, Asmongold, remains active.

The Incident: What Happened?

Hoyt’s ban followed a livestream where he expressed his views on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. He made several derogatory comments about Palestinians, including statements that dehumanized their culture, implying that they were “inferior” and advocating that their suffering was justified. At the heart of the controversy was his claim that Palestinians had “genocide built into Sharia law,” and that he was indifferent to their plight. The clip of his statements quickly spread across social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), where it garnered widespread condemnation.

In the days leading up to his ban, Twitch users, other streamers, and activists called for Hoyt to be held accountable for his comments, pointing out that Twitch’s Terms of Service strictly prohibit hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric. Many of his critics noted that his remarks crossed a line by reinforcing negative stereotypes about a protected group, which is a violation of Twitch’s community guidelines.

Hoyt’s Response to the Backlash

In response to the backlash, Hoyt issued a public apology on X, acknowledging that he was “way too much of an asshole about the Palestine thing.” However, his apology was seen by many as insufficient. While he expressed regret for the harshness of his comments, Hoyt stopped short of fully retracting his statements. He admitted that no one deserves to have their life destroyed, but did not back down from his overall views on Palestinian culture, which many saw as a weak apology.

Some of Hoyt’s fans immediately criticized the half-hearted apology, urging him to do more than simply acknowledge his tone. One follower, who identified as a long-time fan, commented: “Saying an entire culture and ethnicity is ‘inferior’ is literally Nazism & racism. It’s disgusting.” The reaction to his apology was mixed, with some supporting him for standing by his views, while others called for a more sincere acknowledgment of the harm caused by his comments.

Twitch’s Response and Action Taken

Twitch, the Amazon-owned platform that Hoyt frequently uses to engage with his audience, acted swiftly to ban his zackrawrr account. As of now, his main account, Asmongold, remains active, though it is unclear whether further action will be taken. Twitch has not yet issued an official statement regarding Hoyt’s ban, but the platform’s community guidelines explicitly prohibit hateful conduct, defined as any content that “promotes, encourages, or facilitates discrimination, denigration, or dehumanization based on a protected characteristic.”

This isn’t the first time Twitch has banned prominent creators for violating its rules on hate speech. The platform has been actively working to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all users, and its swift action in this case aligns with that goal.

Broader Implications: Streaming, Hate Speech, and Accountability

Hoyt’s ban raises broader questions about the role of influential figures in the gaming and streaming community, and the responsibility they bear in shaping discourse. With millions of followers and the ability to reach a massive audience, streamers like Hoyt have significant sway over the opinions of their fans. His comments came at a time when tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict are high, and the incident underscores the potential for harm when public figures use their platforms to spread divisive rhetoric.

Other prominent streamers, including Hasan “Hasanabi” Piker, a well-known advocate for Palestinian rights, publicly condemned Hoyt’s statements. Piker invited Hoyt to his channel to discuss and rebut his comments, though Hoyt has not yet accepted the invitation.

The incident also highlights the need for platforms like Twitch to consistently enforce their guidelines and ensure that creators adhere to the rules, regardless of their popularity. While banning accounts for violations of hate speech policies may appease some, there is an ongoing debate about whether such actions are enough to prevent future incidents and foster a more inclusive community.

Zack “Asmongold” Hoyt’s ban from his zackrawrr Twitch channel serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability for public figures, especially in the gaming and streaming community. While Hoyt has attempted to apologize, the controversy surrounding his remarks about Palestinians is unlikely to subside anytime soon. The incident continues to spark discussions about hate speech, the influence of streamers, and how platforms like Twitch handle violations of their guidelines.