Kyrie Irving Defends Antisemitic Movie and Conspiracy Theory

“I’m not a divisive person when it comes to religion,” Irving said. “I embrace all walks of life.”

As he was pressed about the potential consequences of sharing an antisemitic documentary to his millions of followers on social media, Irving gave seemingly contradictory answers about his impact.

“I’m in a unique position to have a level of influence on my community,” Irving said. “What I post does not mean that I support everything that’s being said.”

He later said: “There’s things being posted every day. I am no different than the next human being, so don’t treat me any different.”

Irving was also asked about his support of Jones, who was ordered this month to pay almost $1 billion in damages in a lawsuit about his false assertions that the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting that killed 26 people was a hoax. Irving said he did not back Jones’s claim that Sandy Hook was a hoax, but that Jones was right in a 2002 video about the New World Order theory that Irving shared on Instagram last month.

“It’s true,” Irving said, adding, “It’s actually hilarious because out of all the things I posted that day, that was the one post that everyone chose to see.”

In the video, Jones said: “The facts and common sense are in. Yes, there have been corrupt empires. Yes, they manipulate. Yes, there are secret societies. Yes, there have been oligarchies throughout history. And yes, today, in 2002, there is a tyrannical organization calling itself the ‘New World Order’ pushing for worldwide government.”

There has been public backlash for Irving’s support of Jones and the documentary, but on Saturday he stood firm.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/30/sports/basketball/kyrie-irving-antisemitic-conspiracy-theory.html