What Is a ‘Groyper’? Everything to know about the alt-right movement

In the shadowy corners of online extremism, the term Groyper has surged into the spotlight, especially amid recent speculations linking it to high-profile incidents like the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Coined from a meme-ified frog variant, Groypers represent a far-right faction led by white nationalist Nick Fuentes, blending antisemitism, nativism, and homophobia under a veneer of Christian nationalism. Emerging in 2019 as critics of mainstream conservatism, they’ve disrupted events and pushed radical agendas—here’s the full breakdown.

The origins of Groypers

Born from the depths of internet meme culture in 2019, the Groyper movement draws its name from a distorted version of Pepe the Frog, rebranded as Groyper to symbolize its alt-right ethos. Led by Nick Fuentes, it started as a backlash against what members saw as watered-down conservatism, targeting groups like Turning Point USA for their moderate stances on issues like immigration and Israel.

Groypers quickly gained notoriety by infiltrating conservative events, heckling speakers with provocative questions to expose perceived hypocrisies. Their tactics escalated to online harassment and real-world disruptions, including participation in the January 6 Capitol attack. Fuentes’ followers, often young and digitally savvy, blend white nationalism with Christian rhetoric, promoting antisemitic and homophobic views while rejecting mainstream Republican figures.

Recent news has thrust Groypers back into focus, with unfounded speculations linking a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s shooting to the group—claims Fuentes has vehemently denied as smears. Despite deplatforming efforts, the movement persists on fringe sites, continuing to radicalize adherents amid ongoing feuds within far-right circles.

Groyper War 2

In 2024, Nick Fuentes reignited tensions by declaring Groyper War 2, aiming to pressure Donald Trump’s campaign into adopting stricter stances on immigration and foreign policy. This phase saw Groypers mobilizing online and in swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, using social media to criticize perceived betrayals by mainstream Republicans and demand policy shifts to avert what they called inevitable conflicts.

Fuentes instructed his Groyper followers to disrupt voter turnout in key areas unless Trump committed to halting immigration and avoiding war with Iran. Drawing from the original 2019 clashes, this iteration blended digital harassment with real-world rallies, targeting figures like Charlie Kirk anew—though the movement distanced itself from the subsequent shooting, labeling it a frame job.

By 2025, the Groyper movement faced internal strife, with reports of disarray among ranks following Fuentes’ controversial associations and online antics. Despite this, adherents continued pushing white nationalist agendas through fringe platforms, amplifying misogynistic and antisemitic rhetoric while clashing with broader conservative factions, underscoring the group’s persistent radical influence.

Core beliefs of Groypers

At its heart, the Groyper movement pushes white nationalism wrapped in Christian nationalist packaging, with Nick Fuentes often railing against Jewish influence in politics and media. Followers echo antisemitic tropes, viewing themselves as defenders of a white, Christian America against perceived threats from immigration and globalism.

Misogyny runs deep in Groyper rhetoric, as seen in Fuentes’ 2024 and 2025 livestreams where he demeaned women, joking about violence and control while inspiring online campaigns that targeted women’s rights post-Trump’s victory. This has drawn widespread condemnation for normalizing hate.

Homophobia and nativism further define Groypers, with the group rejecting LGBTQ+ rights and advocating strict isolationism. Despite deplatforming, their ideology persists on fringe sites, radicalizing young men and fueling divisions within the broader alt-right landscape as of 2025.

Internal divisions

The Groyper movement splintered in February 2021 when Patrick Casey distanced himself from Nick Fuentes amid fears of federal informants and doxing at Fuentes’ America First Political Action Conference. This rift highlighted growing paranoia within the group, as Casey accused Fuentes of recklessness, fracturing their once-united front against mainstream conservatism.

Further cracks emerged in May 2022, when Jaden McNeil, a former ally and treasurer of Fuentes’ America First Foundation, publicly broke ties following an ego-driven clash. McNeil had supported Fuentes during earlier Groyper wars but cited interpersonal conflicts, underscoring the movement’s instability and tendency toward infighting among key figures.

By 2025, these divisions persisted alongside external pressures, including deplatforming and legal scrutiny. Despite internal strife, Groypers continued amplifying radical views on fringe platforms, with Fuentes maintaining influence over a core of young adherents, even as broader alt-right unity remained elusive amid ongoing scandals.

The lasting shadow of Groypers

As 2025 unfolds, the Groyper movement endures as a toxic undercurrent in American extremism, defined by Nick Fuentes’ white nationalist ideology and disruptive tactics. Despite denials of ties to tragedies like Charlie Kirk’s death, Groypers continue radicalizing online, a sobering reminder of how fringe hate festers amid political divides—demanding vigilant scrutiny to curb its spread.