Who Is Guy Christensen? TikTok Influencer Praises DC Shooter, Calls Israeli Diplomats 'War Criminals

Guy Christensen, a 19-year-old TikTok personality from Pennsylvania, has ignited a firestorm of controversy after publishing a video supporting Elias Rodriguez—the man accused of murdering two Israeli Embassy staffers in a brutal daylight attack in Washington, D.C.

With over 3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, Christensen, who goes by the handle @YourFavoriteGuy, has cultivated a loyal Gen Z audience with politically charged content focused on Palestinian activism. But his latest statements, in which he referred to the alleged killer as a "resistance fighter" and labeled the victims “Zionist war criminals,” have drawn sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum and prompted a rare move by TikTok to delete his video for inciting violence.

Read more: Who Is Elias Rodriguez and Why Did He Kill Two Israeli Diplomats?

Guy Christensen, a teenage social-media influencer, is facing backlash after urging his followers to support Elias Rodriguez, the suspect in the killing of two Israeli Embassy staff in Washington

The Shooting: What Happened in Washington, D.C.

On May 21, 2025, Elias Rodriguez, 28, reportedly ambushed and killed two employees of the Israeli Embassy—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim—outside the Capital Jewish Museum, just blocks from the White House.

According to police, Rodriguez fired at least 21 rounds, reloading his weapon as the victims tried to escape. Witnesses heard him shouting "Free Palestine" as he was arrested by D.C. police. Authorities have confirmed that the victims were Israeli diplomatic staff.

Rodriguez is currently in custody and facing federal hate crime and terrorism charges. The FBI has labeled the attack a politically motivated act of violence. The White House condemned the killings, with former President Donald Trump calling them "antisemitic murders" and stating, “Hatred and radicalism have no place in America.”

The Video That Sparked Outrage

Shortly after news of the attack broke, Christensen posted a video urging his followers to "support Elias' actions." In the now-deleted clip, which reached over 630,000 views in less than 24 hours, he stood in front of a Palestinian flag and stated:

“I do not condemn the elimination of those two Zionist officials... Israel has live-streamed a genocide to the entire world for two years. These were not innocent victims—they were participants.”

He specifically referred to Lischinsky and Milgrim as “war criminals,” without offering any proof or context. Christensen also claimed the U.S. media was “weaponizing antisemitism” to silence criticism of Israeli policies.

TikTok took the unusual step of permanently banning the video after two appeals were filed and rejected. Despite the takedown, Christensen reaffirmed his stance in an interview with the New York Post:

“You will not hear me sympathize with war criminals. What Elias did was part of a legitimate struggle.”

Jewish Museum shooting

Who Is Guy Christensen?

Christensen has positioned himself as a pro-Palestinian influencer in American social media culture, often posting content critical of Israel’s military operations and the U.S.'s foreign policy in the Middle East. His supporters praise his unapologetic political stance, while critics accuse him of amplifying extremism and hate speech.

Though he has declined to reveal what university he attends, he has confirmed he is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His social media accounts regularly feature commentary on Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), pro-Palestinian activism, and viral critiques of Western media narratives surrounding Israel.

This is not his first brush with controversy—he previously faced backlash for calling for boycotts of major U.S. brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s, which he claimed were “complicit in genocide.”

Public Reaction and Political Backlash

Political leaders, Jewish advocacy groups, and human rights organizations have denounced Christensen’s statements.

• The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called the video “disgusting and dangerous,” saying it glorified political violence.

• Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) urged TikTok’s U.S. leadership to investigate how such content was allowed to spread to millions of young viewers.

• The Simon Wiesenthal Center demanded that TikTok ban Christensen’s account entirely.

In contrast, Christensen’s defenders argue that he is exercising his First Amendment rights, and frame his comments as part of a broader pro-Palestinian resistance movement.

Social Media and Extremism: A Growing Concern

This incident has reignited urgent questions about the role of social media influencers in radicalizing audiences—especially on platforms like TikTok, which are heavily populated by users under 25.

Critics say the lack of consistent moderation allows inflammatory content to go viral before platforms can respond. Others argue that banning controversial voices only drives them to alternative platforms where radical views spread unchecked.

A TikTok spokesperson stated:

“We do not allow content that promotes terrorism, violence, or hate speech. The video was removed for violating these policies.”

Conclusion: A Nation on Edge

As the U.S. grapples with the implications of the D.C. shooting and the digital firestorm it triggered, the case of Guy Christensen is a stark reminder of the new frontier of influence. Where once politics lived in press conferences and editorials, today it explodes in 30-second videos that can reach millions in minutes.

With Elias Rodriguez set to appear in federal court and Christensen under growing scrutiny, this case sits at the crossroads of free speech, national security, and the responsibilities of digital fame.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Who is Guy Christensen?

Guy Christensen is a 19-year-old TikTok influencer from Pennsylvania, known for his pro-Palestinian political content. He recently stirred controversy by supporting the DC embassy shooter.

2. What did Christensen say about the DC shooting?

In a now-deleted video, he referred to the alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez, as a “resistance fighter” and labeled the victims—Israeli Embassy staff—as “Zionist war criminals.”

3. Why did TikTok remove Christensen’s video?

TikTok removed the video for violating its policies on hate speech and glorification of violence after it went viral, receiving over 630,000 views in less than 24 hours.

4. Who were the victims in the DC shooting?

The victims were Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both employees of the Israeli Embassy, killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.

5. What charges is Elias Rodriguez facing?

Rodriguez is being held on federal charges including hate crimes and terrorism. Authorities described the attack as politically and ideologically motivated.

6. What has been the reaction to Christensen's video?

Public figures, Jewish organizations, and lawmakers condemned the video as dangerous and antisemitic, while some activists defend it as free speech.

7. Is Christensen under investigation?

While not officially charged, his video has drawn the attention of the FBI, and many are calling for platforms to take stronger action against similar content.

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