The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) removed its “Extreme and Hate Glossary” on Tuesday following significant backlash, including criticism from Elon Musk and various Republican lawmakers.
This controversy arose roughly three weeks after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), who was speaking at Utah Valley University when he was killed.
TPUSA’s connection to being labeled extremist by conservative groups relates to perceived ties with right-wing extremists and groups associated with alt-right sentiments, particularly around anti-Muslim rhetoric and white supremacism.
Notably, Ta-Nehisi Coates described Kirk as a “hatemonger” and argued he should not be celebrated.
The ADL’s claims included a list of contentious statements linked to Kirk and TPUSA dating back to 2015, asserting that Kirk used his platform to push “Christian nationalism.”
In reaction, Musk stated on Sunday that the ADL “hates Christians” and labeled it a “hate group.” He further criticized the way society uses labels that can incite violence against people and organizations.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna from Florida also took to social media, disputing the ADL’s stance and defending the “America First” ideology, asserting that TPUSA is not a hate group.
ADL’s decision to retire the glossary came shortly after public criticism, as they expressed a commitment to improve their approach. They acknowledged that although the glossary contained over 1,000 entries compiled over the years, many were now considered “outdated,” without specifying which ones.
They mentioned looking for innovative strategies to present research more effectively moving forward.
The glossary had categorized various groups, including certain Islamic nations and organizations like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, while notably excluding other controversial movements like Antifa and Black Lives Matter.
The ADL clarified that inclusion in their database doesn’t imply illegal or violent activity but reflects their assessment of the extremity of the views expressed by individuals or groups.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact the ADL for comments but did not receive a response before publication.
