Jackson Hinkle’s New Hamas "Interview" Raises Legal Concerns
Basem Naim, one of Hinkle’s interviewees, is listed on the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, which subjects him to strict financial sanctions under the Office of Foreign Assets Control
Jackson Hinkle, a controversial online commentator known for inflammatory rhetoric and extremist propaganda, is once again in the spotlight—this time for an interview with senior Hamas officials Basem Naim and Osama Hamdan. Conducted in Doha, Qatar, the interview is set to air later today despite serious legal and ethical concerns, including the possibility of violating U.S. sanctions laws.
Hinkle Is Not a Journalist
Hinkle cannot hide behind the defense of journalism. He is not a journalist, nor does he engage in investigative or balanced reporting. Instead, he openly aligns himself with extremist groups, often spreading disinformation and glorifying violence. His promotion of Hamas extends beyond rhetoric—he has gone so far as to photoshop himself into Hamas uniforms, visually aligning himself with the U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Similarly, Hinkle photoshopped himself onto an ID card of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of the Iranian armed forces designated as a terrorist entity by the U.S.
Hinkle used photoshop once again to turn himself into a Houthi terrorist.
Hamas has been responsible for numerous attacks on civilians, and both Naim and Hamdan are listed on the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, which subjects him to strict financial sanctions under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). If any financial transactions were involved in Hinkle’s engagement with them, he may have violated U.S. sanctions law—an issue that should be investigated.
A Pattern of Supporting Extremists and Dictators
This is not an isolated incident for Hinkle. He has consistently aligned himself with authoritarian leaders and extremist organizations, openly praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. His denial of well-documented human rights abuses by these regimes further cements his role as an apologist for some of the world’s most oppressive governments. Now, his platforming of Hamas leaders adds another layer to his extremist affiliations.
Spreading Misinformation and Glorifying Terrorism
Hinkle’s support for Hamas goes beyond mere platforming—he actively supports the group. Reports indicate that he has played a key role in disseminating manipulated images and false claims about the Israel-Gaza conflict. His social media activity has been repeatedly flagged for spreading disinformation, and his Instagram account was permanently removed in March 2024 due to extremist content violations. Moreover, a report by Cyabra, a digital analytics firm specializing in detecting disinformation, revealed that approximately 40% of Jackson Hinkle's followers on X (formerly Twitter) are fake accounts. Additionally, about 17% of the profiles interacting with his posts were identified as inauthentic. This artificial amplification not only boosts his extremist messaging but also distorts public perception, making his views appear more widely accepted than they actually are.
Conclusion
Hinkle’s interview with Hamas leaders is not a journalistic endeavor—it is an endorsement of a terrorist organization. By granting them an unchallenged platform, he amplifies their propaganda and lends credibility to their violent ideology.
His repeated engagement with U.S.-sanctioned individuals raises legal concerns, and if financial transactions were involved, he may have violated OFAC regulations. More broadly, his actions highlight the growing threat of online propagandists who operate without accountability, using their platforms to normalize extremism.
At a time when global security is at stake, those who amplify terrorists must be scrutinized—not celebrated.