Carl Benjamin The Controversial British YouTuber Behind Sargon of Akkad

Who Is Carl Benjamin?

Carl Benjamin is a British YouTuber and political commentator who gained widespread recognition under his online pseudonym “Sargon of Akkad.” Born between September 1-2, 1979, in Swindon, England, he has become one of the most polarizing figures in online political discourse. His journey from a game developer to a prominent internet personality has been marked by significant controversies, platform bans, and a brief foray into electoral politics.

The name “Sargon of Akkad” itself carries historical weight, referring to the ancient Mesopotamian ruler who founded the Akkadian Empire. This choice of pseudonym reflects Benjamin’s interest in history and his desire to position himself as a figure of intellectual authority in online debates.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Before becoming a household name in political commentary circles, Carl Benjamin worked as a game developer. In 2014, he served as co-programmer for the game “Necromancer,” demonstrating his technical skills and creative interests. This background in gaming would later become relevant as he rose to prominence during the Gamergate controversy.

Benjamin is married to Lucy Benjamin, and together they have two children. Despite his controversial public persona, he maintains a relatively private family life, rarely sharing personal details about his domestic situation.

The Rise of a YouTube Commentator

Carl Benjamin launched his primary YouTube channel “sargonofakkad100,” which would eventually amass a subscriber base of approximately 900,000 to 1 million followers. Over the years, his content has accumulated over 300 million lifetime views, establishing him as a significant voice in online political discourse.

Content Style and Focus

Benjamin’s channel focuses primarily on political commentary, with particular emphasis on critiquing feminism, challenging what he perceives as ideological overreach, and discussing gaming culture, history, and current events. His presentation style combines dry humor with provocative commentary, often framing his arguments as “rational arguments supported by evidence.”

Before facing demonetization, Benjamin reportedly earned an estimated $500,000 or more annually from YouTube advertisements alone. He also received additional funding through Patreon, where he previously earned over $5,000 per month from supporters who valued his content.

The Gamergate Connection

Carl Benjamin’s rise to prominence coincided with the Gamergate harassment campaign of 2014. During this controversial period in gaming culture, he became a prominent voice promoting conspiracy theories about the Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA). Benjamin claimed that feminists were infiltrating video game research to push a feminist agenda into gaming culture.

He created extensive content critical of feminist video game critics and academics, with figures like Anita Sarkeesian becoming frequent targets of his commentary. This period established Benjamin’s reputation as a fierce critic of what he termed “social justice warrior” ideologies in gaming and beyond.

Major Controversies That Defined His Career

The VidCon 2017 Incident

One of the most widely publicized controversies involving Carl Benjamin occurred at VidCon 2017. He attended a panel on online harassment featuring Anita Sarkeesian, sitting prominently in the front rows alongside other YouTubers known for criticizing her work. During the presentation, Benjamin filmed Sarkeesian, an action she described as targeted harassment.

Sarkeesian publicly called him a “garbage human” and “serial harasser” during her panel. The incident prompted VidCon founder Hank Green to issue an apology, acknowledging that the behavior was “intimidating” and violated the conference’s harassment policies.

Comments Targeting Jess Phillips

Perhaps the most damaging controversies surrounding Carl Benjamin involve his comments about Labour MP Jess Phillips. In 2016, he tweeted “I wouldn’t even rape you” to Phillips, using the hashtag #FeminismIsCancer. This comment sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.

The situation escalated in 2019 during his UKIP campaign when Benjamin made an additional rape joke, stating he might rape Phillips, “but nobody’s got that much beer.” West Midlands police investigated these 2019 comments, though no charges were ultimately filed.

Use of Racial and Homophobic Slurs

Carl Benjamin faced additional criticism for his use of offensive language in his content. In one YouTube video, he referred to alt-right members as “white niggers” and used the slur “faggots” in the same video. Benjamin claimed that such language isn’t considered offensive in Britain, a claim that was widely disputed by British commentators and the public.

He argued that his comments were taken out of context and that his intent was misunderstood, but the damage to his reputation was significant.

Platform Bans and Restrictions

Patreon Suspension (2018)

In 2018, Carl Benjamin was banned from Patreon for violating the platform’s hate speech policies. This ban had ripple effects throughout the online creator community, triggering departures by high-profile figures like Sam Harris, Jordan Peterson, and Dave Rubin, who left Patreon in protest. The ban cost Benjamin a significant monthly revenue source that had been sustaining his content creation.

YouTube Demonetization (May 2019)

In May 2019, Benjamin was suspended from the YouTube Partner Program, meaning he lost the ability to earn advertising revenue from his videos. YouTube also removed his access to copyright assistance and IT support, though he was given 30 days to appeal the decision. A video he created about Jess Phillips was also removed from the platform.

Despite this demonetization, Benjamin has maintained his YouTube presence, continuing to upload content without the financial benefits of the Partner Program.

Twitter Account Suspension and Reinstatement

Carl Benjamin’s Twitter account was suspended in May 2019, limiting his ability to engage with followers and share his commentary on the platform. However, following Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter in 2022, Benjamin’s account was reinstated in November of that year, allowing him to return to the platform.

Political Career and UKIP Involvement

Brexit Advocacy

Carl Benjamin became a member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), a Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party. He was a strong Brexit supporter during the 2016 referendum, criticizing the European Union for what he viewed as bureaucratic constraints on British sovereignty. His political commentary during this period focused heavily on immigration, national identity, and the perceived failures of the EU.

The 2019 European Parliament Campaign

Despite being a vocal Brexit supporter, Carl Benjamin ran for the European Parliament in 2019 as part of UKIP’s campaign for the South West England constituency. He was the second candidate on the UKIP list and received 59,372 votes, representing 0.9% of the vote share.

His campaign was marked by controversy, including a milkshake-throwing incident in Cornwall that became emblematic of the hostile reception he received from some members of the public. Following this unsuccessful electoral bid, Benjamin did not pursue further political candidacies, choosing instead to focus on media influence.

Views on Reform UK

More recently, Carl Benjamin has expressed reservations about the Reform UK party’s direction. In March 2025, he warned that Reform would become “increasingly indistinguishable” from mainstream parties, suggesting a loss of the populist edge that initially attracted supporters. He interviewed Ben Habib, former Reform deputy leader, about internal fractures within the party.

The Lotus Eaters Podcast

In November 2020, Carl Benjamin launched The Lotus Eaters, a podcast platform named after the episode from Homer’s Odyssey. The platform provides ongoing political commentary and features guest interviews with various political figures.

The podcast has become Benjamin’s primary platform for sharing his views, offering him a space that’s more resistant to the platform restrictions he faced on mainstream social media sites. In May 2024, The Lotus Eaters hosted former Prime Minister Liz Truss, an interview that triggered controversy with Jess Phillips and reignited debates about Benjamin’s platform and influence.

Political Views and Ideological Positioning

Carl Benjamin self-identifies as a “classical liberal,” claiming center-left political leanings, though this characterization has been disputed by many observers who place him further to the right. His political views include:

• Anti-feminist stance: Benjamin has been consistently critical of modern feminism, viewing it as ideologically driven rather than focused on genuine equality.
• Criticism of Islam and identity politics: He frequently challenges what he perceives as special accommodation for Islamic practices and opposes identity-based political movements.
• Opposition to political correctness: Benjamin views political correctness as a constraint on free speech and honest discussion.
• Support for Donald Trump: In 2016, he supported Trump over Hillary Clinton, viewing Trump as a challenge to establishment politics.
• Free speech advocacy: Despite personal disagreements, he opposed the YouTube ban of Alex Jones, framing it as a free speech issue.

Benjamin addressed the Rotherham child sexual exploitation case in his commentary, blaming political correctness for allowing the abuse to continue unreported.

Reception and Legacy

Support from Audiences

Despite numerous controversies, Carl Benjamin has maintained sustained audience loyalty, keeping approximately 1 million subscribers throughout various scandals. He receives backing from right-wing audiences who view him as challenging “social justice warrior ideologies” and defending free speech principles.

His supporters appreciate his willingness to address controversial topics and his refusal to conform to what they perceive as mainstream media bias. Benjamin has managed to maintain a profitable media career despite platform bans and advertising restrictions.

Criticism and Controversy

Critics have labeled Carl Benjamin as anti-feminist and misogynistic, pointing to his comments about women, particularly Jess Phillips, as evidence. He has been accused of promoting harassment campaigns, with some describing him as part of a “cottage industry of online harassment.”

His use of racial and homophobic slurs has been widely criticized, as have his inappropriate rape jokes. Despite claiming a classical liberal stance, Benjamin has been associated with far-right movements and ideas by numerous commentators and researchers studying online radicalization.

Current Status in 2025

As of 2025, Carl Benjamin continues his political commentary primarily through The Lotus Eaters podcast. He remains active on his reinstated Twitter account, engaging with followers and sharing his perspectives on current events.

Benjamin maintains his YouTube presence, though his channel remains demonetized. He continues to be a controversial figure in UK political discourse, with opinions about him sharply divided along ideological lines.

Rather than pursuing electoral politics, Benjamin has focused his energy on media influence, attempting to shape political conversations through his content creation and commentary. His trajectory illustrates the complex relationship between online platforms, controversial speech, and political influence in the digital age.

Understanding Carl Benjamin Hollander

Some sources refer to Carl Benjamin using the middle name Hollander, though he rarely uses this full name publicly, preferring either his birth name or his pseudonym “Sargon of Akkad.”

The Carl Benjamin Twitter Presence

Carl Benjamin’s Twitter presence has been central to both his rise and his controversies. The platform served as a venue for the inflammatory comments that led to his initial suspension. Following his November 2022 reinstatement under Musk’s ownership, Carl Benjamin Twitter activity has resumed, allowing him to engage directly with supporters and critics alike.

His Twitter feed continues to feature political commentary, shares from The Lotus Eaters, and engagement with ongoing political debates in the UK and beyond.

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