Far-right media figure Dave Reilly, who has called Judaism “the religion of anti-Christ” and suggested that “all Jews are dangerous,” apparently voted as a delegate on the Idaho GOP’s party platform at the state party's 2024 convention, and even took photos with two state senators.
Reilly reportedly runs a far-right media outlet called the Idaho Tribune and has a history of antisemitic commentary and activism, including participating in the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville and calling Judaism “the religion of anti-Christ.” Reilly has repeatedly attacked Jewish people on social media, suggesting that “all Jews are dangerous,” complaining of “Jewish supremacy,” “Jewish subversion,” and “Jewish privilege,” and writing that Jewish people “control the media” and “invented terrorism.” Reilly also called himself a “stan” — slang for a die-hard fan — of Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.
Reilly has also said that it was a “mistake” to give women voting rights and asserted that “women should not have been allowed into the work force.”
On June 15, Reilly posted that he “had the HONOR of filling in as a seated Delegate, and voting on our new Republican Platform,” noting that he had also served as an “Alternate Delegate” at the convention.
At the convention, Reilly was pictured with at least two state senators, Sens. Tammy Nichols and Brian Lenney. A user posted a photo of Reilly with Nichols and Lenney with the caption, “The most controversial picture to ever hit X.” Nichols replied to the post, saying, “Welcome to the club!” She also shared the post with her followers, writing, “Great event last night!”
Reilly also posted a picture of himself with David Leavitt, a GOP nominee for a state representative seat, writing “Good to see you guys.” Leavitt reposted the picture from Reilly’s account directly.
The Idaho Capitol Sun reported that “news media were not allowed into any of the convention proceedings as of Saturday afternoon,” and that “professional journalists have had to rely on secondhand accounts from convention participants.” Delegates at the state convention adopted an extreme platform, including further restricting abortion and opposition to embryo destruction (a practice that is standard to in vitro fertilization).
Reilly’s involvement in the convention and apparent friendliness with state senators is yet another example of the Idaho GOP embracing extreme media figures. Media Matters reported in 2022 that then-Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R-ID) had been photographed with Holocaust denier and Rumble streamer Vincent James Foxx, who claimed to have “deep connections” to McGeachin. McGeachin also seemingly relied on far-right media figures during her failed campaign for governor in 2022.
Nationally, Republicans have also embraced extreme and antisemitic media figures. Media Matters has documented more than 100 examples of Republican officials and campaign nominees embracing and promoting antisemitic media figures and outlets in 2021 and 2022.