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Extremists Hijack 'Christ Is King' as Online Weapon Against Jews

The sacred confession Christ is King has been weaponized online as an antisemitic taunt sparking a national debate over faith and hatred.

Michael Ringer

Michael Ringer

— 3 min read
A statue of Jesus Christ on the facade of St Peters Basilica at the Vatican representing the theological roots of the phrase Christ is King now at the center of an antisemitism debate

How the Sacred Phrase 'Christ Is King' Was Hijacked by Online Extremists

The ancient Christian confession "Christ is King" has been co opted by extremist figures online and turned into an antisemitic taunt, sparking a national debate over where faith ends and hatred begins.

Writing for The Christian Post, Simone Rizkallah traced the doctrine's deep roots in Catholic social teaching. Pope Leo XIII established in the late 19th century that states cannot claim absolute authority. Pope Pius XI formally created the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 specifically to counter fascist and communist totalitarian ideologies.

The declaration that Christ is King is not a political slogan. It is a theological claim about the limits of political power.

— Simone Rizkallah, The Christian Post

Now the phrase appears in coordinated online harassment campaigns, frequently posted under content about Jews or Israel. The Network Contagion Research Institute reported that mentions of "Christ is King" on X increased more than fivefold between 2021 and 2024. During a two week peak in March and April 2024, nearly 10 percent of posts mentioning the phrase included references to Jews or antisemitic content.

At a February 9, 2026 hearing focused on antisemitism, witness Seth Dillon testified that he often hears people use the phrase "Christ is King" followed immediately by a contemptuous slur toward Jews. He noted the phrase has been co opted by Groypers, followers of far right influencer Nick Fuentes.

Senator Ted Cruz also spoke forcefully against the trend, stating that "Christ is King is being used online in a way that is meant to say, screw you, Jew" and that it has become "an almost online code word." Conservative influencer Candace Owens, who has shared antisemitic conspiracy theories, now sells branded "Christ is King" merchandise.

Rizkallah, who helped establish the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism in 2023 through the Institute of Religion and Democracy, argues that this modern misuse inverts the doctrine's original purpose. A phrase meant to humble political power has been weaponized as a partisan club.

The Battle Over 'Christ Is King' and Its Meaning in the Age of Social Media

Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at the Antisemitism Symposium in Washington on March 10, 2026, addressing the weaponization of Christian phrases online

The controversy has exposed deep fissures within the American right, forcing Christians to confront whether their most sacred declarations are being hollowed out and turned against others. What was once a unifying confession of faith now sits at the center of a culture war that pits genuine believers against those who would use the name of Christ as a weapon of hate.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let me be blunt. If you are using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as a cudgel to beat down Jewish people, you are not confessing the faith. You are blaspheming it. "Christ is King" is the most powerful truth in human history. It toppled empires and humbled tyrants. It was never meant to be a hashtag trolls throw around to terrorize people.

The far right grifters selling "Christ is King" mugs while spreading conspiracy theories about Jews are doing the devil's work in Christ's name. That is about as evil as it gets. Real Christians know that our King commanded us to love our neighbor, including our Jewish neighbor, the very people through whom our Savior came into this world. Anyone using His name as a weapon of hatred will answer for it in eternity.

Take Action

  • Speak up in your church community. If you see "Christ is King" being used as a taunt rather than a confession, call it out directly and lovingly.
  • Report antisemitic content on social media. Flag posts that weaponize Christian phrases as hate speech on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Learn the real history. Read about the Feast of Christ the King and Catholic social teaching so you can articulate what "Christ is King" actually means theologically.
  • Support organizations fighting antisemitism and defending persecuted Christians worldwide at www.TheShepherdsShield.org.
  • Contact your elected representatives and urge them to address online hate. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224 3121 to reach your senators and representatives.
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