Pete Evans in hot water over neo-Nazi cartoon
Evans later deleted the cartoon and apologised to anyone who had “misinterpreted” the post. He also claimed he did not know what neo-Nazi meant.
DISGRACED celebrity chef Pete Evans drew condemnation from federal Labor MP Josh Burns and the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) this week after posting a cartoon featuring a neo-Nazi symbol on social media.
Evans, who has previously attracted controversy with his views on vaccinations and COVID-19, came under fire earlier this year for interviewing British conspiracy theorist David Icke – who has been accused of being antisemitic and supporting Holocaust denial, charges he denies – for an upcoming episode of his podcast.
On Sunday, the former My Kitchen Rules host posted a cartoon of a caterpillar wearing a Make America Great Again hat speaking to a black butterfly with a Black Sun symbol on its wing. Also known as the sonnenrad or sunwheel, it is one of a number of ancient European symbols appropriated by the Nazis and was used by the terrorist behind the Christchurch massacre last year.
Evans later deleted the cartoon and apologised to anyone who had “misinterpreted” the post. He also claimed he did not know what neo-Nazi meant.
Following an outcry, Evans was dumped by book publisher Pan Macmillan and removed from the cast of Channel Ten’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
Macnamara MP Burns told The AJN, “Pete Evans is not just a promoter of dangerous conspiracy theories on vaccines and COVID-19, he is also sharing neo-Nazi symbols and ideas.
“Neo-Nazi imagery has no place in Australian society.”
ADC chair Dvir Abramovich added, “The last thing we need is a public figure endorsing and giving credence to a dangerous symbol that has inspired white-supremacist gunmen.
“I am glad that the unmistakable message being sent here is that Pete Evans does not represent the heart and spirit of Australians.”
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