Viral Hatred: The Rise of Antisemitism

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," host McKay Coppins sits down with The Atlantic’s Yair Rosenberg to confront the alarming resurgence of antisemitism in the United States. Far from being a relic of the past or a purely partisan issue, modern data suggests that anti-Jewish prejudice is increasingly becoming a youth-driven phenomenon, fueled by changing media landscapes and the loss of firsthand historical memory. Together, they explore the "why" behind the persistence of these ancient hatreds, the role of social media in spreading viral misinformation, and the surprising parallels between the Jewish and Latter-day Saint experiences in America.

This deep-dive conversation explores:

• Antisemitism as a Conspiracy Theory: Understanding why Jews remain a "convenient scapegoat" and how ancient tropes are rebranded for the digital age.

• The Impact of Social Media: How the incentives of TikTok and Instagram prioritize virality over accuracy, allowing conspiracy theories—like the "AI Netanyahu" delusion—to reach mainstream audiences.

• Historical Memory Loss: The fading influence of firsthand Holocaust education as the "Greatest Generation" passes on, leaving a vacuum for social media radicalization.

• Interfaith Parallels: A unique look at the shared minority experiences of the Jewish and Latter-day Saint communities, including the fascinating history of the BYU Jerusalem Center.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).