Connor Estelle, a 24-year-old cloud engineer known online as “Pinesap,” ignited a firestorm in July 2025 after openly identifying as a fascist during a Jubilee YouTube debate with journalist Mehdi Hasan. His subsequent firing from his job and a crowdfunding campaign raising over $30,000 have fueled debates about cancel culture, free speech, and the ethics of platforming extremist views.
A Shocking Debate Moment
On July 20, 2025, Jubilee’s Surrounded series aired an episode featuring Hasan debating 20 “far-right conservatives.” Estelle, one of the participants, stole the spotlight by admitting, “Yeah, I am,” when Hasan asked if he was a fascist, laughing and citing Nazi theorist Carl Schmitt and Spanish dictator Francisco Franco as influences. He expressed support for autocracy over democracy and dismissed concerns about being called a Nazi, downplaying Holocaust persecution as “a little bit.” The episode, viewed over 4 million times on YouTube, drew widespread outrage, with clips flooding X and TikTok. Hasan, unaware the participants included self-proclaimed fascists, voiced shock on X, stating Jubilee misrepresented the debate as featuring conservatives.
Fired and Fundraising
By July 22, Estelle claimed he was fired from his job at VeUP, a cloud solutions provider, due to his “traditional right-wing views.” In a RiftTV interview, he described feeling “destroyed” by the dismissal, attributing it to “cancel culture” without specifying his role or the company’s reasoning. VeUP confirmed he was a subcontractor, let go by a core contractor, not directly by them. Estelle launched a GiveSendGo fundraiser titled “Fired for My Political Beliefs,” aiming for $15,000 but raising over $30,000 by July 23, with some donations including extremist messages like “We need a white nation!” and coded references (e.g., $88). Critics on X, like @TurnTNBlue, mocked his plight, while supporters framed it as free speech suppression.
Jubilee’s Role Under Scrutiny
Jubilee, with 10 million YouTube subscribers, faces accusations of platforming extremism for views. Critics, including Matt Bernstein, argue the channel normalizes far-right rhetoric under the guise of “middle ground” debates, citing past episodes with figures like Charlie Kirk. Hasan’s claim that Jubilee misled him about the participants’ views intensified backlash, with X users like @Matt_Dimitri calling for demonetization. Jubilee has not publicly commented, but its history of provocative formats—pitting one progressive against 20 conservatives—continues to draw Gen Z and millennial audiences.
A Polarizing Figure
Estelle, a Catholic commentator active on X as “FeelsGuy2003,” has posted content praising autocracy and targeting Hasan, though no evidence supports claims of direct racism or violence advocacy beyond the debate. His fundraiser’s success, bolstered by far-right donors, suggests a path to becoming a conservative influencer, with RiftTV appearances fueling his visibility. The controversy highlights tensions over free speech versus accountability, with Estelle’s case dividing X users between those celebrating his firing and those decrying “political discrimination.”
As the debate’s fallout reverberates, Estelle’s story underscores the risks of public platforms amplifying extreme views and the polarized responses they provoke.
Websites Sources:
- NBC News (www.nbcnews.com) – Covered the debate, Hasan’s reaction, and Estelle’s firing.
- Forbes (www.forbes.com) – Detailed the viral debate, Estelle’s fascist remarks, and Jubilee’s format.
- The Daily Beast (www.thedailybeast.com) – Reported Estelle’s fundraiser, Nazi theorist references, and firing claims.
- Mediaite (www.mediaite.com) – Covered Estelle’s $24,000 fundraiser and cancel culture narrative.
- The Wrap (www.thewrap.com) – Highlighted Hasan’s shock and Estelle’s fascist admission.
- The Catholic Herald (www.thecatholicherald.com) – Noted Estelle’s Catholic identity and Franco defense.
- Reddit (Fauxmoi) (www.reddit.com) – Provided community reactions and fundraiser details.
