For his remarks at rapper Nipsey Hussle’s funeral on Thursday, Louis Farrakhan, the virulent anti-Semite atop the Nation of Islam, earned a warm reception from a number of verified Twitter users.
Renewed controversy swirled around Farrakhan earlier this year, as leaders of the Women’s March were finally pressed to explain their prior associations with him. Although she tried to distance herself from Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism, co-founder Tamika Mallory refused to condemn the Nation of Islam leader in January, even when confronted with a specific list of his repugnant statements by Meghan McCain on “The View.”
All the love blue checkmarks showed for Farrakhan on Thursday is a reminder that he’s not a random and powerless fringe actor, but someone who continues to enjoy support from plenty of prominent defenders, despite a long and indisputable record of naked bigotry. (For just a taste of his open racism and anti-Semitism, browse this list.)
I’ve also included several viral tweets from non-verified users, given how many people showed agreement with their sentiment. A handful of journalists and media outlets, including the New York Times, posted quotes from Farrakhan’s speech without even briefly alluding to his history. They’re included below as well. (And if you need some encouragement, here are some good tweets, although they certainly appeared to be outnumbered.)
I checked the feeds and linked stories of every reporter and outlet included below to see if they added any notes to their tweets about his racism. As of publishing time, none of them did.
Minister Farrakhan don’t just come out for anybody you know!!!!
— Big Daddy Kanè (@DrKaneOfficial) April 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Kingkeraun/status/1116405565884813312
Farrakhan did that. Mess ups and all. He put his heart in that. Give thanks. #CelebrationOfNipseyHussle
— JIMETTA ROSE (@jimettarose) April 11, 2019
this man got Barack Obama and Minister Farrakhan speaking on his behalf… think about how powerful that is
— Alumni CEO (@DeeJayiLLWiLL) April 11, 2019
"He lived the gang life but he didn't stay there. He lived the life of the hood but he rose above the pull of gravity." – The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan #NipseyHussleMemorial #NipseyHussle
— Dometi Pongo (@Dometi_) April 11, 2019
Preach Farrakhan
— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) April 11, 2019
Tributes from Barack Obama and Minister Louis Farrakhan. Performances by Anthony Hamilton and Jhene Aiko, who performed "Eternal Sunshine." The lyrics begin, "Is it strange for me to say that / If I were to die today / There's not a thing I would change." Follow along 👇🏽#RIPNIP https://t.co/gdbo7FxsUL
— Eliott C. McLaughlin (@ByEliott) April 11, 2019
A word from Louis Farrakhan: “[Nipsey] lived the gang life, but he didn’t stay there. He rose above the pull of gravity… When you can fly above the circumstances of your life, it can produce envy from those who haven’t learned to fly.” #NipseyHussleMemorial pic.twitter.com/taDWpeQ8tw
— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) April 11, 2019
Farrakhan is dropping knowledge at the Nipsey Hussle celebration of life in LA!
— Jazzy T (@JazzyTOnAir) April 11, 2019
We thought we hit a little detour in Minister Farrakhan's speech but he brought it back home for us. #NipseyHussleMemorial
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) April 11, 2019
Powerful words by Farrakhan
— Eric Crocker 🥷🏾 (@Crocky209) April 11, 2019
Talk to them Minister Farrakhan #nipseyhussle pic.twitter.com/BG9PGUJK1D
— Baller Alert 🚨 (@balleralert) April 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/msshanitarenee/status/1116407068309716997
“When you can fly above the circumstances of your life it produces enemies…” – Louis Farrakhan 💙 #CelebrationOfNipseyHussle
— Amber Grimes (@BurrCardi) April 11, 2019
Farrakhan is problematic as hell, but he's delivering a word at Nipsey's memorial. #CelebrationOfNipseyHussle
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) April 11, 2019
"Ermias was more than a hip-hop artist. He was a voice. He was a brilliant mind and the spirit of God was in his life." – The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan #NipseyHussleMemorial
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) April 11, 2019
Thank You Honorable Minister Farrakhan for truly caring about OUR people.
— ᴇᴍᴀɴɴʏ (@emannymusic) April 11, 2019
"He is the prophetic voice in his community…he lived the life of hood but he rose the pool of gravity." – Minister Louis Farrakhan #BETRemembersNipsey 🏁
— BET (@BET) April 11, 2019
"He lived the gang life but he didn't stay there. He lived the life of the hood but he rose above the pull of gravity." – The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan #NipseyHussleMemorial
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) April 11, 2019
Nipsey's homegoing is fit for a King. The processional music at his memorial is "Victory Lap." Stevie Wonder, Jhene, Marsha Ambrosius, and Anthony Hamilton will all sing music selections as well. Frank Sinatra's "My Way" will play. Minister Farrakhan will speak.
— Stephanie Wash (@WashNews) April 11, 2019
"His body is dead but the mind of Ermias Asghedom and the spirit of Nipsey is alive," says Louis Farrakhan, the 85-year-old leader of the Nation of Islam https://t.co/ObcfCZ4REZ
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 11, 2019
Louis Farrakhan pays his respect to #NipseyHussle. 🙏🏾🏁#BETRemembersNipsey pic.twitter.com/Gx1rPdNMco
— BET (@BET) April 11, 2019
"His body is dead but the mind of Ermias Asghedom and the spirit of Nipsey is alive," Louis Farrakhan tells @NipseyHussle mourners
— Richard Winton (@LAcrimes) April 11, 2019
"He lived the gang life but he didn't stay there. He lived the life of the hood but he rose above the pull of gravity." – The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan #NipseyHussleMemorial #NipseyHussle
— Dometi Pongo (@Dometi_) April 11, 2019
"His life was for the unity of the red and the blue, the unity of the hood. So when we celebrate Nipsey, we must celebrate unity." Louis Farrakhan remembers Nipsey Hussle at Staples Center memorial https://t.co/XLs71sbJQK pic.twitter.com/Lu4E7eCI3a
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) April 11, 2019
"Ermias in the language of the Eritrean people means 'God is Rising.' Nipsey in that same language means homie – a brother from the hood, that never really left the hood but now the world will embrace him; as his life & death changes the hood." Minister Farrakhan at LA memorial. pic.twitter.com/VMhjxpo1Q7
— Anaridis Rodriguez (@Anaridis) April 11, 2019
Minister Louis Farrakhan says Nipsey Hussle 'lived the gang life but he didn't stay there. He lived the life of the hood but he rose above the pull of gravity' — @ABC News Live broadcast of rapper's funeral at Staples Center in LA happening now- https://t.co/8CzeK0saaJ
— Bill Hutchinson (@bill_hutchinson) April 11, 2019
“I hope that we will never dishonor the name of Ermias Asghedom – Nipsey Hussle,” -Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. #NipseyHussle #CelebrationOfLife #NipseyHussleForever https://t.co/6fcgAxwZve
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) April 11, 2019
"When we celebrate Nipsey, we celebrate unity," – Louis Farrakhan 🙏 #CelebrationOfNipseyHussle
— 106 KMEL (@106KMEL) April 11, 2019
"When we celebrate Nipsey, we must celebrate unity." –Louis Farrakhan #CelebrationOfNipseyHussle pic.twitter.com/GEji4x6OLg
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) April 11, 2019
"Our brother never left the hood, he loved the Rollin’ 60's” — Louis Farrakhan#CelebrationOfNipseyHussle 🏁 https://t.co/kg16aBdZ51 pic.twitter.com/X0PKueYYPt
— OnSMASH (@OnSMASH) April 11, 2019
WATCH: Louis Farrakhan is speaking at Nipsey Hussle's celebration of life, whom he calls a "perfected soul" who rose above "gang life."
He says Hussle is to hip hop what Bob Marley is to reggae. https://t.co/pJ2DQMRXsz pic.twitter.com/3xJKtxlmq5
— KTVU (@KTVU) April 11, 2019
Obama. Minister Farrakhan. at Staples Center. to pay homage. to a Rollin 60s Crip. tell Me Nipsey's impact isn't real. iconic.
— Stagg R. Leigh (@Aftashok) April 11, 2019
Minister Louis Farrakhan just told the crowd “Ermias” in the Eritrean language means “God is rising.” #NipseyHussle pic.twitter.com/AVYmFPqmiB
— Nicki Mayo (@nickimayonews) April 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/MiiiyaJeanee/status/1116407594330071041
https://twitter.com/doctor_kia/status/1116406745688084481
Farrakhan just tied Westbrook and the rolling 60’s all into a bible verse. This man is a legend lol
— Going to see the Kang (@Evolsoflucy) April 11, 2019