A controversial online streamer with more than one million followers ignited a social media firestorm over the holiday weekend after posting a livestream from New York City in which he declared the city an “Islamic Republic” while celebrating Egypt’s World Cup victory.
The streamer, known online as Sneako, was broadcasting from a gathering of Egyptian soccer fans following Egypt’s win over Australia. Video from the event showed crowds waving Egyptian flags, beating drums, and celebrating in the streets.
During the livestream, Sneako shouted “Allahu Akbar” before making a series of remarks that quickly went viral.
“This is the Islamic Republic of New York-istan,” he said. “Islam will be in every household. Inshallah the whole world will be Muslim.”
He also referenced New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, saying, “Welcome to Mamdani’s New York. You see this city? You see how it looks? Inshallah, your city looks just like this too.”
The comments rapidly spread across social media platforms, generating millions of views and prompting reactions from public figures, commentators, and users across the political spectrum.
Among the most widely shared responses was one from former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, who participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
“These guys sound WAY different when you wake them up at 2am,” O’Neill wrote.
The controversy escalated further when radio host Alex Jones responded to the clip by calling for the streamer to be deported.
“Deport him NOW!!!” Jones wrote.
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk replied with a one-word response: “Yes.”
Sneako later appeared to address the backlash in a cryptic social media post, writing, “Every knee will bow. Every tongue confess.”
The following day, he responded directly to Musk, writing, “Go back to Africa. This is my country,” a reference to Musk’s South African birthplace.
Mayor Mamdani’s office did not immediately comment on the remarks.
One thing social media has perfected is turning attention into a business model.
The more outrageous the statement, the more views. The more views, the more clips. The more clips, the more people arguing about the clips.
Mission accomplished.
Whether Sneako was expressing a sincerely held belief, trolling for engagement, or some combination of both, he succeeded in exactly what internet provocateurs aim to do, become the story.
In 2026, outrage isn’t a side effect. It’s the product.
