ADL pulls ‘extremism’ glossary after backlash over targeting Turning Point USA

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), whose mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people,” removed its entire “Glossary of Extremism and Hate” Sept. 30 after facing criticism for labeling Turning Point USA (TPUSA) as an extremist group. 

The glossary of more than 1,000 entries described TPUSA as tied to “right-wing extremists” and accused founder Charlie Kirk of promoting “Christian nationalism,” FOX News reported. The entry reportedly appeared under ADL’s “Center on Extremism” tag.

FOX also noted that the glossary listed groups such as the Nation of Islam, Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and the “America First” movement, but did not include Antifa or Black Lives Matter. Its homepage stated that a group’s inclusion did not necessarily mean it engaged in “illegal or violent conduct” but reflected ADL’s judgment of “extreme” views. 

The group’s glossary drew increased scrutiny just weeks after Kirk’s assassination at a campus event in Utah. 

In a Sept. 28 X post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the ADL is a “hate group” because it “hates Christians” and later charged that its designations encourage violence.

“Using such false and defamatory labels about people and organizations encourages murder,” he said in a statement on X cited by FOX. Musk also claimed the FBI relies on ADL’s “hate group” designations.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., echoed the condemnation, saying in a Sept. 29 post that the ADL “has some explaining to do” and sharing screenshots of the TUPSA entry. 

“Seems to me like if they don’t agree with you, they will label you a ‘hate group,’” she added.

In an earlier post, Sept. 28, she shared a screenshot in which the group labeled the tag “Christian Identity” under “Extremism, Hate or Terrorism.” 

In a Sept. 30 statement announcing the glossary’s removal, ADL said the glossary has “served as a source of high-level information” but said many of its entries “were outdated” and “intentionally misrepresented and misused.”

It added that ADL will “explore new strategies and creative approaches to deliver our data and present our research more effectively. It will keep us focused on ensuring we do what we do best: fighting antisemitism and hate in the most impactful ways possible.”