Children’s YouTuber “Ms. Rachel” faces potential investigation by Attorney General Pam Bondi over her social media posts about the Gaza-Israel conflict after being accused of spreading Hamas propaganda.
At a Glance
- StopAntisemitism has called on AG Pam Bondi to investigate popular children’s YouTuber Ms. Rachel (Rachel Griffin Accurso) regarding her posts about Gaza
- The advocacy group alleges Ms. Rachel may have been paid to spread propaganda for Hamas and used misleading images in her content
- Ms. Rachel has over 14 million YouTube subscribers and has posted about Gaza’s living conditions on Instagram
- The group questions if foreign funds are being used to influence young people online through influencers
- Ms. Rachel has defended her actions, stating she cares for all children and has fundraised for kids in Gaza
Allegations Against a Popular Children’s Content Creator
The anti-hate speech organization StopAntisemitism has formally requested Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate children’s content creator “Ms. Rachel” over her social media activity related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Rachel Griffin Accurso, known to millions of children and parents as Ms. Rachel, has built a substantial following of over 14 million YouTube subscribers through her educational videos aimed at toddlers and young children. The controversy stems from her recent posts about Gaza’s humanitarian situation on her personal Instagram account.
StopAntisemitism alleges that Ms. Rachel has been using “Hamas-like propagated images and stories” in her social media content. The group specifically referenced an instance where they claim she promoted a misleading photo described as a “starving child” from Gaza, which they assert was actually “a cystic fibrosis case.” This accusation forms part of their broader concern that Ms. Rachel might be receiving funding to disseminate specific narratives about the conflict.
Questions of Foreign Influence
The advocacy group’s director, Liora Rez, expressed significant concerns about potential foreign funding behind Ms. Rachel’s posts on Gaza. The organization has encouraged followers to file complaints under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, suggesting that Ms. Rachel’s advocacy might be financially motivated by outside entities seeking to shape public opinion on the conflict. This move represents a notable escalation in scrutiny of social media influencers’ political commentary.
“Given the vast sums of foreign funds that have been directed toward propagandizing our young people on college campuses, we suspect there is a similar dynamic in the online influencer space” said StopAntisemitism Director Liora Rez.
StopAntisemitism directly questioned Ms. Rachel’s funding sources, posting “Is someone funding Ms Rachel?” on social media platforms. The organization has also criticized her for allegedly misreporting child death tolls in Gaza by citing figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which they consider unreliable. This marks one of the first instances where the anti-hate organization has targeted a high-profile social media influencer for investigation.
Ms. Rachel’s Response and Context
Ms. Rachel has responded to the criticism by defending her humanitarian concerns, stating that she cares for all children regardless of their background. According to reports, she has been involved in fundraising efforts specifically for children in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict. Her social media posts have focused on advocating for improved living conditions and humanitarian aid for children living in the Gaza Strip.
“a ‘starving child’ from Gaza photo which was actually a cystic fibrosis case” stated StopAntisemitism.
This controversy highlights the increasingly complex intersection between social media influence, political advocacy, and public accountability. The Hill has reportedly reached out to various parties involved, including Ms. Rachel herself and the Department of Justice, but responses were not immediately available. The situation raises questions about the responsibilities of content creators when addressing geopolitical conflicts, especially those with large audiences including parents and young children.
