Bridge Initiative Team, John L. Esposito, Author at Bridge Initiative

28 Jan 2025 | Individuals

Factsheet: Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth is a former Fox News political commentator, author, and former Army National Guard officer who served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has tattoos that are associated with white nationalism and has a history of making Islamophobic statements. Hegseth has also been accused of sexual assault and has had several incidences of alleged sexist behavior. read the complete article

Factsheet

28 Jan 2025 | Individuals

Factsheet: Randy Fine

Randy Fine is an American Republican politician and currently serves as a Senator for the Florida state government. Before joining politics, he served as a gambling industry executive. Fine has been described as an “unhinged bigot,” “controversial,” “divisive,” and “abrasive.” He has a history of making anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and racist comments, and has threatened two Muslim women members of Congress. In 2024, Fine announced he would be running for the US Congress and was endorsed by President Donald Trump. read the complete article

Factsheet

27 Dec 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Elise Stefanik

IMPACT: Elise Stefanik is a Republican congresswoman from New York. Initially entering politics as a moderate, Stefanik has rebranded herself and become a staunch supporter and defender of President-elect Donald Trump. She has a history... read the complete article

Factsheet

12 Dec 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Marco Rubio

IMPACT: Marco Rubio is a US Senator from the state of Florida. He previously ran for President in 2016. He has a documented history of minimizing the issue of Islamophobia, promoting anti-Muslim tropes, and supporting discriminatory policies targeting Muslims. In 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to serve as Secretary of State. read the complete article

Factsheet

12 Dec 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Sebastian Gorka

Sebastian Gorka is a contributor at Sinclair TV, who previously worked for FOX News and served as the Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump. Gorka supports religious profiling, has targeted Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups, and has publicly worn a medal affiliated with a Nazi-linked Hungarian group. read the complete article

Podcast

25 Nov 2024 | Event

Unpacking Hindu Nationalism: Its Influence and Islamophobic Narratives in the American Context

In episode 18 of Unpacking Islamophobia, Bridge Associate Director Mobashra Tazamal speaks with Safa Ahmed, the Associate Director of Media & Communications for the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), and Pranay Somayajula, the Organizing and Advocacy Director for Hindus for Human Rights, on the topic of Hindu nationalism in the United States. read the complete article

Factsheet

25 Nov 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas, a Baptist minister, political commentator, and ran to be the Republican presidential candidate in 2008 and 2016. He is a staunch supporter of Israel, has questioned Palestinian identity, supports settlements, and has a history of making anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic statements. In 2024, President-elect Donald Trump picked Huckabee to serve as the United States Ambassador to Israel. read the complete article

Podcast

01 Nov 2024

Islamophobia and ethno-nationalist populism

In episode 17 of Unpacking Islamophobia, Bridge Associate Director speaks with Dr. Saher Selod, an Associate Professor and previous Chair of the Department of Sociology at Simmons University in Boston, MA. They discuss Islamophobia and ethno-nationalist populism in the United States, specifically talking about Professor Selod’s chapter in the newly-released book, Global Islamophobia and Rise of Populism. read the complete article

Factsheet

15 Oct 2024 | Organizations

Factsheet: Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (Ekal-USA) is a Houston, Texas-based non-profit organization with over 70 chapters across multiple U.S. cities. It serves as the sister organization of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India (Ekal-India), a Hindu nationalist group that operates single-teacher schools in India. Ekal-India has been accused of promoting hatred towards religious minorities. read the complete article

Factsheet

11 Oct 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Tommy Robinson

Tommy Robinson is a British anti-Muslim and anti-immigration activist. A co-founder of the racist English Defense League, Robinson believes Islam is a “disease” and Muslims are invading Europe. He has been connected to trans-national anti-Muslim activists and organizations, including PEGIDA. Robinson has had numerous criminal convictions and is currently serving time in jail. read the complete article