Overview

Jon Eugene Minadeo II is the leader of the Goyim Defense League (GDL), a neo-Nazi, antisemitic, white supremacist hate group that seeks to expel Jews from America.“Goyim Defense League,” Anti-Defamation League, May 2, 2024, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/goyim-defense-league. The GDL carries out harassment campaigns targeting Jews both online and through the propagation of antisemitic literature.“Jon Minadeo II,” Anti-Defamation League, accessed October 3, 2024, https://extremismterms.adl.org/glossary/jon-minadeo-ii. As of May 2024, the GDL had a presence across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.“Goyim Defense League,” Anti-Defamation League, May 2, 2024, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/goyim-defense-league.

Minadeo founded the GDL in 2018. In May 2020, he established GoyimTV, an online antisemitic video platform.Jon Jackson, “Notorious Antisemitic Group Moves to Florida With a Target on DeSantis,” Newsweek, January 21, 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/notorious-antisemitic-group-moves-florida-target-desantis-1767433; “Jon Minadeo II,” Anti-Defamation League, accessed October 3, 2024, https://extremismterms.adl.org/glossary/jon-minadeo-ii. On the platform, Minadeo hosts a daily show called Handsome Truth, where he promotes antisemitic vitriol, support for extremist ideologies, and conspiracy theories.Gabe Stutman, “‘Thanks Jews, for the publicity’: Is Goyim TV succeeding?,” J. The Jewish News of California, February 23, 2022, https://jweekly.com/2022/02/23/thanks-jews-for-the-publicity-is-goyim-tv-succeeding/. According to media reports, Minadeo’s recruiting tactics are not limited to older generations, as he has expanded his outreach toward minors on the video chat platform Omegle. On the platform, Minadeo has either groomed children into adopting the GDL’s ideologies or has hurled violent insults at the minors if they do not readily welcome his sentiments.Tim Dickinson, “This Neo-Nazi Gets Paid to Groom Children. Who’s Supporting This?,” Rolling Stone, May 14, 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/neo-nazi-child-grooming-abuse-omegle-1234734931/. Minadeo claims GDL does not promote violence. However, the group has reportedly adopted tactics of verbal provocation to elicit violent reactions from its opponents.Mack Lamoureux, “A Neo-Nazi Troll Network Is Making Money Abusing Jews,” Vice, March 1, 2023, https://www.vice.com/en/article/goyim-defense-league-jon-minadeo/.

In August 2020, Minadeo and GDL members hung banners on highways across Los Angeles and demonstrated outside of a Jewish community center in Marina Del Rey. The antisemitic events included displays of highway banners that read “Honk if you know the Jews want a race war.”  Demonstrations featured shouted antisemitic slogans such as, “These Jewish Terrorists are the people behind 9/11” and “Wake up and understand that Jews have hijacked your country.”“Extremist hate group continues to deliver anti-Semitic flyers to American Jews,” New York State Senate, August 21, 2022, https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/2022/anna-m-kaplan/extremist-hate-group-continues-deliver-anti-semitic-flyers. Shortly after, in August 2022, GDL members distributed antisemitic flyers outside of homes in Long Island, New York.‘Extremist hate group continues to deliver anti-Semitic flyers to American Jews,” New York State Senate, August 21, 2022, https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/2022/anna-m-kaplan/extremist-hate-group-continues-deliver-anti-semitic-flyers. The GDL carried out a similar campaign in June 2023 in Plainview, Long Island. In that incident, the flyers featured QR codes linked to a website riddled with racist, antisemitic, and anti-LGBTQ content.“Authorities called after antisemitic flyers pop up in Long Island neighborhood,” ABC 7 New York, June 11, 2023, https://abc7ny.com/plainview-residents-antisemitic-flyers-mailboxes/13370008/.

Minadeo has taken GDL’s antisemitic demonstrations overseas. On August 27, 2022, Minadeo and another GDL member, Robert Wilson, illegally entered the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where they posed with antisemitic banners. The banners read “Greenblatt suck 6 million dicks,” and “Shoah the ADL.”“Notorious US antisemite arrested in Poland over offensive banner at Auschwitz,” Times of Israel, September 7, 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/notorious-us-antisemite-arrested-in-poland-over-offensive-banner-at-auschwitz/. The first banner referred to Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt and mocked the number of Jews killed at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The second banner mocked the word “Shoah” which is Hebrew for “catastrophe,” and a term commonly used by Jews to indicate the Holocaust.“Notorious US antisemite arrested in Poland over offensive banner at Auschwitz,” Times of Israel, September 7, 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/notorious-us-antisemite-arrested-in-poland-over-offensive-banner-at-auschwitz/; Phil Barber, “Neo-Nazi head of Goyim Defense League arrested in Poland,” Jerusalem Post, September 6, 2024, https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-716447. Minadeo and Wilson fled the scene immediately after posing with the banners. On September 4, 2022, Polish authorities arrested Minadeo at an unspecified location in Poland on charges of committing a hate crime. After temporarily confiscating Minadeo’s swastika chain and his computer, Minadeo was released later that evening.“Notorious US antisemite arrested in Poland over offensive banner at Auschwitz,” Times of Israel, September 7, 2022, https://www.timesofisrael.com/notorious-us-antisemite-arrested-in-poland-over-offensive-banner-at-auschwitz/. Following his release, Minadeo swiftly posted the offending images on Gab, a conservative social media platform. Along with the images, Minadeo wrote “Got handcuffed & arrested in Poland today for (((Hate Speech))) regarding Auschwitz…Just got released tonight with a fine and my chains and computer temporarily confiscated. Life's good! You can't keep me down Jews!”“Suspect arrested for Holocaust denial projection on Anne Frank House,” Jerusalem Post, May 1, 2023, https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-741695.

In December 2022, Minadeo relocated the GDL from Petaluma, California, to Florida. According to Minadeo, the relocation was to “keep the pressure on” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after the Republican politician voiced support for Israel.Jon Jackson, “Notorious Antisemitic Group Moves to Florida With a Target on DeSantis,” Newsweek, January 21, 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/notorious-antisemitic-group-moves-florida-target-desantis-1767433.

Palm Beach Police issued Minadeo a “littering citation” on January 29, 2023, after he was found distributing antisemitic flyers throughout the island.Liz Balmaseda, “Palm Beach police cite 4 with ‘littering’ antisemitic material; fourth incident in PBC this month,” Palm Beach Post, January 29, 2023, https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/2023/01/29/palm-beach-cites-4-with-littering-for-distributing-antisemitic-flyers/69852590007/. On February 17, 2023, GDL members demonstrated outside of the Chabad of South Orlando with offensive signs for several hours. The next day, GDL joined the neo-Nazi group NatSoc Florida at a Daytona protest where they showcased antisemitic posters stating “Communism is Jewish” and “Henry Ford was right about the Jews.” The two groups continued their activities into the evening, illuminating messages such as “Jews outlaw free speech HP 269” and “Hitler was right” across a stadium.“Antisemites Gather in Florida for Weekend of Hate,” Anti-Defamation League, February 19, 2023, https://www.adl.org/resources/article/antisemites-gather-florida-weekend-hate.

The GDL’s flyer campaigns continued throughout the southern United States. On June 23, 2023, police officers in Macon, Georgia, arrested Minadeo on charges of disorderly conduct and public disturbance. Prior to the arrest, Minadeo and around 15 GDL members were protesting the Temple Beth Israel synagogue in downtown Macon after distributing anti-Jewish flyers throughout the area. During the protest, the GDL hung a blow-up doll from a street sign with a noose. The blow-up doll reportedly represented a gay Jewish man. Minadeo was released later that night on a $910 bond.Anthony Montalto, “‘Not going to let them win’: Anti-Semitic protesters demonstrate at Macon synagogue, fliers appear in Warner Robins neighborhoods,” WMAZ 13, June 24, 2023, https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/jon-minadeo-arrested-in-georgia-after-anti-semetic-protest-at-macon-synagogue/93-1a0ee968-03df-448d-9ddb-4c7c47e9c36b.

Minadeo was cited with additional littering charges on March 11 and March 18 of 2023 for tossing antisemitic material from a truck with other GDL members in Florida.Jessie Carbonare, “Man found guilty of distributing antisemitic flyers in West Palm Beach charged a second time, to have another trial,” WPBF ABC News, November 6, 2023, https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-man-antisemitic-flyers-west-palm-beach-charged-second-time/45753975. On November 2, 2023, a Palm Beach County jury found Minadeo guilty of the distribution of antisemitic materials. The court sentenced Minadeo to 30 days in prison.Jessie Carbonare, “Man found guilty of distributing antisemitic flyers in West Palm Beach charged a second time, to have another trial,” WPBF ABC News, November 6, 2023, https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-man-antisemitic-flyers-west-palm-beach-charged-second-time/45753975; “Neo-Nazi group founder sentenced to jail for distributing antisemitic flyers,” NBC6, November 2, 2023, https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/neo-nazi-group-founder-sentenced-to-jail-for-distributing-antisemitic-flyers/3149650/. Neo-Nazis were quick to rally around Minadeo after his sentencing. Telegram channels affiliated with the Active Club Network and the Blood Tribe praised Minadeo and urged broader movement unity despite any problems individuals might have with him. A GDL Telegram channel also shared a fundraiser for Minadeo on the crowdfunding site GiveSendGo.“Extremist Content Online: Pro-ISIS Content Receives Over 50,000 Views On TikTok,” Counter Extremism Project, November 6, 2023, https://www.counterextremism.com/press/extremist-content-online-pro-isis-content-receives-over-50000-views-tiktok.

Minadeo began posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, in December 2023, gaining over 2,112 followers by February 5, 2024.“Extremist Content Online: Neo-Nazi Accelerationist Telegram Channels Encourage Violence,” Counter Extremism Project, February 6, 2024, https://www.counterextremism.com/press/extremist-content-online-neo-nazi-accelerationist-telegram-channels-encourage-violence. Minadeo has had multiple Twitter/X accounts, one of which was removed by February 5, 2024, and another that was created shortly after but also removed by May 2024.“Extremist Content Online: Antisemitic Propaganda Video Widely Promoted On Telegram And Twitter/X,” Counter Extremism Project, February 20, 2024, https://www.counterextremism.com/press/extremist-content-online-antisemitic-propaganda-video-widely-promoted-telegram-and-twitterx. On May 31, 2024, Minadeo created another account accumulating over 1,600 followers within the first two weeks. The account included a large number of videos promoting antisemitism, racism, the GDL, and Minadeo himself, as well as links to websites hosting GDL livestreams, neo-Nazi and antisemitic merchandise, and a page where antisemitic GDL flyers can be downloaded, including content promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories claiming that Jews are responsible for the September 11 attacks and the Kennedy assassination. Minadeo also linked to another X account with over 3,000 followers that was created in November 2023 and used for livestreaming on the platform.“Extremist Content Online: Extreme Right Telegram Channels Promote Homophobia, Transphobia, And Violence In Response To LGBTQ Pride Month,” Counter Extremism Project, June 10, 2024, https://www.counterextremism.com/press/extremist-content-online-extreme-right-telegram-channels-promote-homophobia-transphobia-and.

Also Known As

• “Handsome Truth”Sam Halpern, “‘Jews won’t replace us’: Neo-Nazis rally in Disney World, across Florida,” Jerusalem Post, September 4, 2023, https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-757450.
• John Eugene Minadeo IIJossie Carbonare, “Man found guilty of distributing antisemitic flyers in West Palm Beach charged a second time, to have another trial,” WPBF, November 6, 2023, https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-man-antisemitic-flyers-west-palm-beach-charged-second-time/45753975.