@Hunter_Eagleman) on June 25, 2025, has ignited a firestorm of debate, reflecting a surge in anti-Islamic sentiment across parts of the United States. The image, featuring a figure kicking a crescent moon and star—symbols widely associated with Islam—alongside the bold text “KICK ISLAM OUT OF AMERICA,” has drawn both support and condemnation, highlighting deep divisions over religious tolerance in the digital age.
The Post and Its Ripple Effect
The post, which garnered significant attention with over 1,000 retweets and 5,000 likes within 24 hours, posed a simple question: “AGREE?” Responses ranged from enthusiastic endorsements to sharp critiques. Supporters, including Eagleman himself, doubled down with comments like “Islam sucks. Everywhere they are in charge devolves into a shithole of wife-stoning and child rape,” echoing sentiments backed by a 2011 Pew Research Center study where 43% of Americans believed Islam was more likely to encourage violence than other religions. Critics, however, pointed to the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom, with one user,
AGREE? pic.twitter.com/BDyjP0lFAv
— Hunter Eagleman™ (@Hunter_Eagleman) June 25, 2025
@snarkandliberty, retorting, “Our country believes in freedom of religion…it’s what makes us great!”
The thread also saw calls to extend the rhetoric to other faiths, with
@VoteHarrisOut asking, “Why not Judaism as well? They don’t even respect Jesus Christ,” while others like
@trackingdonald shared a manipulated image of the Statue of Liberty draped in a black burqa, symbolizing a perceived threat to American values.
Historical Irony and Context
Ironically, the post’s narrative clashes with the Statue of Liberty’s own origins. According to a 2015 Smithsonian Magazine article, sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi initially envisioned the iconic statue as a robed Egyptian peasant woman to guard the Suez Canal, a design rooted in Muslim cultural imagery before it evolved into a symbol of freedom. This historical footnote has been seized upon by detractors to challenge the anti-Islamic stance, underscoring the unintended Muslim influence on one of America’s most cherished symbols.
A Coordinated Campaign?
Adding fuel to the debate, data from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reveals that between 2008 and 2013, $206 million was channeled to 74 U.S. groups promoting anti-Muslim prejudice, suggesting the post may be part of a broader “Islamophobia network.” This claim aligns with a New America report documenting 763 anti-Muslim incidents from 2012 to 2018, including mosque vandalism and anti-Islamic legislation, a trend that has reportedly intensified since 2015.
Community Reactions
CAIR has yet to issue an official statement on the specific post, but its history of advocating for Muslim civil rights—supported in part by a $500,000 donation from Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal in the early 2000s—positions it as a key player in countering such narratives. Meanwhile, some X users have called for unity, with
@AFMissile asserting, “Welcome to America, please leave your freedoms, hopes, and dreams at the border. Sharia Law time,” a hyperbolic remark that has fueled further polarization.
Expert Insights
Dr. Amina Khan, a cultural historian at Georgetown University, commented, “This post reflects a growing frustration among certain groups, but it overlooks the diversity within Islam and the contributions of Muslim Americans. The Statue of Liberty’s origins serve as a poignant reminder of shared heritage.” Conversely, political analyst Mark Reynolds noted, “Social media amplifies these sentiments, often drowning out nuanced dialogue, especially in an election year where immigration and religion are hot-button issues.”
Looking Ahead
As the debate rages on, the post has prompted calls for social media platforms to address hate speech, while others defend it as free expression. With the U.S. Muslim population estimated at 3.45 million (Pew Research, 2020) and growing, the incident underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing religious freedom with rising intolerance. For now, the digital battlefield remains a mirror to America’s complex relationship with its multicultural identity.
