DEEP DIVE

The “Groyper Army” is made up of young people who are active online and call themselves zoomers. Often used in profile pictures and avatars, a popular Groyper symbol is a variation of an illustration of Pepe The Frog.

Nicholas J. Fuentes, the host of the conservative “America First” podcast is often cited as a leader and source of inspiration for Groypers. Their belief system is based on strict nationalist and socially conservative values with focuses on free speech, conspiracy theories, Christianity, and disrupting mainstream conservative events. They are known for spreading white nationalist, anti-semitic, and anti-LGBTQ messages while criticizing more mainstream conservative figures and organizations for their stances on these issues. The group often positions itself in opposition to the conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA), calling its platform as one of “fake conservatism” that is too weak on social issues and free speech.

The Groyper Army made headlines after Donald Trump Jr. was booed and heckled by members of the far-right at an event to promote his book: Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us. After Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle announced that they would not be taking questions “due to time constraints,” attendees booed, chanting “Q and A! Q and A!” Although they booed Trump Jr., Groupers claim to be Trump supporters, as Fuentes clarified in a Tweet about the event, their main issue was with Charlie Kirk, the founder of TPUSA who moderated the event. Groypers have taken credit for several other disruptions at events for conservative figures including one for Congressman Dan Crenshaw at Arizona State University.