A man involved in an incident featuring anti-Semitic signs at a Barstool Sports bar in Philadelphia spoke out on Tuesday. Signs that read “F-Jews” sparked outrage, with a video of them circulating widely on social media over the weekend. In response, Dave Portnoy, a prominent figure at Barstool, offered a controversial trip to Auschwitz to one of the parties involved, aiming to educate about the Holocaust as a form of accountability for the anti-Semitic display. However, this offer was ultimately rescinded.
Mo Khan, who named Portnoy as part of the problem, issued a statement criticizing him for leveraging the situation for his vast social media audience. He urged viewers of his video to support his fundraising efforts and condemned the backlash he faced.
Khan distanced himself from the creation of the sign and emphasized that it drew attention to broader injustices related to Israel. His tone was somewhat defiant, suggesting that while he did not condone the signs, they elicited necessary discussions.
Khan described the sign as a potential “edgy joke” but claimed that Portnoy’s associates were threatening to ruin his life over it. He expressed frustration, noting that he, rather than Portnoy, was the one facing serious repercussions, including a suspension from his university and threats against his safety.
Upon initially accepting Portnoy’s invitation to Auschwitz, Khan later clarified that he made such statements under pressure. He accused Portnoy of hypocrisy, claiming that he was vilifying him while profiting from a culture of hate.
Meanwhile, Portnoy dismissed Khan’s claims, calling him a “flat liar.” He recounted a conversation where Khan admitted his involvement and questioned Khan’s motives, suggesting he was exploiting the incident for financial gain. Portnoy expressed disbelief over Khan’s behavior and criticized him for using the situation to further his agenda. He also indicated feeling foolish for attempting to approach the situation with understanding.
On a local level, Philadelphia police confirmed they are looking into the details surrounding the incident.
