Netanyahu’s appearance on popular Nelk Boys podcast draws criticism from right and left online

A podcast popular among young men shocked the internet this week with an unexpected interview guest: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A podcast popular among young men shocked the internet this week with an unexpected interview guest: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But Netanyahu’s bid to appeal to young people appeared to backfire online, where the interview drew widespread criticism from viewers across the political spectrum.

His interviewers, Kyle Forgeard and Aaron “Steiny” Steinberg, are members of the Nelk Boys, a group of social media influencers known for their vlogs and prank videos. The group, which has amassed more than 8.5 million subscribers on YouTube, attracted even more fans after its content began to highlight more conservative political figures, including President Donald Trump, whom the podcast interviewed in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Netanyahu’s hourlong interview, which dropped on the Nelk Boys’ “Full Send Podcast” on Monday, was met with overwhelmingly critical reception online, with viewers accusing the podcasters of asking softball questions and neglecting to push back against Netanyahu’s claims.

Netanyahu and his government continue to face worldwide outrage over the war in Gaza that followed the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.