Kaczynski’s head was photoshopped onto the body of an SS officer. Image by Twitter

By Ari Feldman July 5, 2017

“Alt-right” Twitter has responded to the Trump-wrestling-CNN-meme controversy by photoshopping CCN reporter Andrew Kaczynski’s head onto an SS officer and referencing George Orwell’s “1984.” The reaction comes on the heels of CNN reporter Andrew Kaczynski writing that his organization could release the name of the man who created the meme if he continues making racist and intolerant memes.

In Kaczynski’s article documenting how he found “HanAssholeSolo,” the meme creator, he wrote that because Mr. Solo had apologized, “showed remorse,” and promised to not repeated his “ugly behavior,” CNN would not publish his name. But then Kaczynski wrote this: “CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change.”

Cue “alt-right” backlash.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Twitter erupted with anti-CNN memes, with some users calling for #MemeJihad and others photoshopping Kaczynski’s head onto the body of a Nazi SS officer. And the hashtag #CNNisISIS is popular again.

Kaczynski responded by tweeting that his line only meant to note that CNN had not made any specific agreement with HanAssholoSolo concerning his identity. People across the political spectrum agreed that, at the very least, Kaczynski’s statement was poorly worded. HanAssholeSolo, for his part, apparently called Kaczynski to say he had not felt threatened.

One thing’s for sure: If Kaczynski were Jewish, the “alt-right” response would make the current “backlash” look like a parking ticket.

Contact Ari Feldman at [email protected] or on Twitter @aefeldman.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount