Connor Estelle Controversy: From Fascist Statements to Firing and Fundraising

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Connor Estelle, a 24-year-old cloud engineer, recently came into the public eye after appearing on a debate show.

During the show, he made a controversial statement that sparked a wave of backlash on social media and online.

This incident not only highlighted his views but also significantly impacted his career.

Estelle, also known by the online alias "Pinesap," openly identified himself as a fascist on the "Surrounded" episode of the Jubilee debate series.

The statement, made casually and with laughter, quickly went viral and became a major catalyst for the controversy surrounding him.

The debate pitted him against progressive host Mehdi Hasan and attracted millions of viewers.

As a result of his controversial statement, Connor Estelle was subsequently fired from his job.

He attributed the firing to "cancel culture" and a consequence of his "traditional right-wing views."

Following his dismissal, Estelle launched a fundraising campaign that also drew scrutiny due to several donations associated with white supremacist symbols.

Connor Estelle, widely known by his online alias "Pinesap," is a 24-year-old cloud engineer.

He graduated from the University of Denver, Colorado, demonstrating a solid academic background.

Prior to entering the world of cloud engineering, Estelle had work experience in communications and marketing.

He served as a Communications Specialist at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church from June to November 2024.

He then continued his career as a Marketing Coordinator at MedGeo Ventures from November 2024 to January 2025.

This experience formed the foundation of his professional career before the controversial incident that befell him.

Long before entering the public spotlight, Connor Estelle demonstrated impressive achievements during his high school years. He was once named "Student of the Month" by the Rotary Club of Castle Rock for his dedication to community service.

During his high school years, Estelle recorded approximately 243 hours of community service, far exceeding the school's requirements.Furthermore, Estelle was active in various extracurricular activities and had a strong academic record.

He was a member of the CVHS track team, the Technology Student Association, and the National Honor Society.

His most notable achievement was earning Eagle Scout honors in the Boy Scouts, the highest honor in the organization.

Connor Estelle's controversy peaked with his participation in an episode of "Surrounded," produced by Jubilee.

On this popular debate show, Estelle was one of 20 conservative individuals confronted with the progressive views of Mehdi Hasan.

The episode quickly garnered public attention, garnering nearly four million views.The most shocking moment occurred when Estelle openly supported autocracy and, when asked if he identified as a fascist, replied, "Yes, I am a fascist," with laughter.

This statement immediately sparked a strong reaction from various parties, both on and off the debate platform.

His casual demeanor in making this admission further fueled the uproar.

Estelle also displayed a dismissive attitude toward sensitive issues related to the Nazis and the Holocaust.

He stated that he didn't care about being called a Nazi and considered the Nazi persecution of the church a "little thing."

While acknowledging the Holocaust was "bad," he quickly changed the subject, demonstrating a lack of empathy for this dark history.

Furthermore, Estelle expressed admiration for Francisco Franco, the Spanish fascist dictator.

He explicitly opposed free speech and indicated a comfort with political violence. These extreme views further reinforced his image as a controversial figure and sparked heated debate about the limits of freedom of expression.

Following his appearance on Jubilee, Connor Estelle was fired from his job as a cloud engineer by VeUP.

VeUP, a cloud engineering company, confirmed that Estelle was a subcontractor and that the termination decision came from a core contractor, not the company itself.

Estelle claimed the firing was a result of his "traditional right-wing views" and that he was a victim of "cancel culture."

Following his firing, Estelle launched a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding site.

He asked for $15,000 in "emergency funds" to cover living expenses while he looked for a new job.

The campaign quickly attracted attention and support from well-wishers, surpassing its initial goal.The fundraiser raised over $20,000, surpassing its initial $15,000 goal.

However, the campaign was also marred by controversy, as some donors used white supremacist code words, such as "88," which stands for "Heil Hitler."

This raised concerns and criticism from various quarters, highlighting the support Estelle received from extremist groups.