Popular children’s YouTuber Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, is facing backlash after she inadvertently liked an antisemitic comment on her Instagram post. The comment suggested that America be “free from the Jews,” a remark that did not go unnoticed by fans and sparked significant outrage.
Ms. Rachel, known for her engaging educational content aimed at toddlers, admitted to the error during a tearful Instagram video. She explained that she intended to delete the comment but accidentally hit “like and hide” instead. “I would never agree with an antisemitic thing like the comment. We have Jewish family, a lot of my friends are Jewish,” she emphasized.
The incident began when Ms. Rachel shared her thoughts on various global issues, including Palestine and Sudan, and a user replied with the offensive comment under her post. The inappropriate remark caught the attention of one of her dedicated followers who privately messaged her to alert her about it. Ms. Rachel responded by deleting the comment and reassured her followers that she actively opposes antisemitism.
In her follow-up apology, she expressed her regret over the misunderstanding and emphasized the importance of acknowledging human mistakes. “I’m so sorry for the confusion it caused… I’m not as good with touching things online, I guess. I have liked things by accident before,” she said.
While some of her fans appreciated her openness and stood by her, others criticized her for what they perceived as evasive comments regarding her liking the offensive remark. Ms. Rachel, who boasts an impressive following of 4.8 million on Instagram and 18.6 million on YouTube, has faced scrutiny in the past for her views, particularly her criticism of Israel and her remarks about former Mayor Eric Adams concerning education policies.
Despite the controversy, Ms. Rachel’s focus on education and early childhood development continues to resonate with a large audience, and her platform remains an influential space for young viewers. The incident highlights the challenges that public figures face in navigating social media and the significant impact these platforms have on their reputations.