Netanyahu’s Podcast Appearance Sparks Backlash and Criticism

The recent episode of the "Full Send Podcast," featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, incited a wave of criticism online, particularly among young audiences. This surprise guest was interviewed by the Nelk Boys, a known group of social media influencers, but the interview's attempt to connect with a younger demographic quickly backfired. Many viewers across various political backgrounds expressed discontent with the hosts, Kyle Forgeard and Aaron “Steiny” Steinberg, claiming they posed unchallenging questions and failed to rigorously question Netanyahu's assertions.

The podcast, which dropped on Monday, seemed to become a target for scrutiny, with numerous criticisms pointing to the shallow nature of the interview. As Netanyahu's government grapples with global outrage following the conflict in Gaza, the episode's reception turned particularly negative, leading to a substantial drop in the podcast's subscriber count on YouTube within just 24 hours. Viewers noted the hosts’ lack of preparedness, with Forgeard admitting to being uninformed about the situation in Israel and Palestine, while Steinberg echoed a desire to become more educated through the interview.

During the discussion, Netanyahu attempted to defend his policies, framing anti-Israel protests as "un-American" and downplaying the severity of global criticism. When questioned about his popularity, he suggested that much of the disdain directed towards him stemmed from propaganda rather than reality. However, the discourse on the podcast veered off into lighter topics, such as food preferences, which contrasted sharply against the serious backdrop of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands have lost their lives since early October 2023.

The backlash was amplified when prominent individuals from both the far-right and far-left criticized the episode, accusing the Nelk Boys of normalizing discussions with individuals they labeled as war criminals. Political streamer Hasan Piker highlighted the moral responsibility of the hosts to challenge Netanyahu's narratives, while Nick Fuentes remarked on the perceived disproportionate impact of such interviews.

Even some of Netanyahu's supporters found fault in how he handled the opportunity, suggesting that his lack of engagement rendered him out of touch. In response, the Nelk Boys pledged to allow differing viewpoints on future episodes, indicating a willingness to engage with criticism while recognizing the controversial nature of their guest selection. Overall, the episode has become a flashpoint for discussions surrounding media responsibility and the portrayal of contentious political figures.