In a recent incident involving far-right influencer Nick Fuentes, a 57-year-old woman has accused him of pepper-spraying her when she visited his suburban Chicago home. The visit was triggered by Fuentes’s controversial post on a certain platform (referred here as X), titled “Your body, my choice”. This phrase, a twist on the well-known abortion rights slogan, has sparked widespread discussion and has been linked to multiple instances of online misogyny. The incident took place on November 10, shortly after Fuentes’ address was leaked online.
Accusations Against Fuentes
According to court documents, the woman approached Fuentes’ home in Berwyn, a Chicago suburb with a population of about 54,000. She revealed in an interview with the Chicago Tribune that her friends had encouraged her to check on rumors about prank deliveries at Fuentes’ home, following his controversial post on X. On arriving at his residence, she started filming herself on the sidewalk when another woman suggested she ring the bell. However, before she could do so, Fuentes allegedly opened the door and pepper-sprayed her, snatching her phone amidst a flurry of expletives.
Fuentes Faces Legal Consequences
The 26-year-old influencer now faces a battery charge in relation to this incident and is expected to appear in court on December 19. Interestingly, Fuentes seems to have taken this situation lightly, posting his mugshots on his X account with the caption, “Free me (racial slur).” Attempts to reach him or his attorney, Eduardo Cervantes, for comments have so far been unsuccessful.
Fuentes: A Controversial Figure
Fuentes, known for his Holocaust-denying and white supremacist views, forms a part of the emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers. These influencers have capitalized on the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the recent presidential elections to amplify their derogatory and threatening online behavior towards women. The appropriation of the “my body, my choice” slogan to “your body, my choice,” as seen in Fuentes’ X post, is an example of such behavior and has been largely attributed to him.
This incident is a stark reminder of the heightened tension and aggression that can ensue from controversial online posts. As the case progresses, it will undoubtedly spark increased dialogue on the responsibility of online influencers and the potential consequences of their actions.
