Sneako Drama Explained as Streamer Faces Backlash Over Islam Stance
Streamer Sneako is facing a mounting backlash after a livestream in New York City in which he reportedly declared the city the "Islamic Republic of New York-istan" and said Islam would be "in every household," comments that quickly drew condemnation from prominent right-wing figures.
The remarks were made during a Kick livestream as Egypt fans celebrated a World Cup win over Australia in New York, according to Fox News.
The issue centers on Sneako, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy. The outlet described him as a controversial internet personality with more than one million followers on a major streaming platform and reported that he converted to Islam in 2023.
During the June 3 livestream, Sneako was surrounded by celebrating Egypt supporters, with drums, horns and flags visible, when he shouted "Allahu Akbar," according to Fox News.
In the clip, Sneako said: "This is the Islamic Republic of New York-istan. Islam will be in every household. Inshallah the whole world will be Muslim."
He also mentioned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, saying: "Welcome to Mamdani's New York. You see this city? You see how it looks? Inshallah, your city looks just like this too."
Alex Jones Calls for Deportation
The remarks triggered immediate anger online, including from among conservative commentators, and Fox News reported that the clip received tens of millions of views across platforms including Instagram and X.
"Deport him NOW!!," wrote InfoWars founder Alex Jones, to which Elon Musk responded: "Yes!"
The backlash continued after Sneako did not apologize or distance himself from the comments. Instead, he appeared to lean into the controversy. Fox News reported that he posted, "Every knee will bow. Every tongue confess," after the uproar began. He also replied to Musk's response to Jones by telling the South African-born businessman to "go back to Africa," adding: "This is my country."
Sportskeeda reported that Musk also responded "Troubling" to a separate post by author Gad Saad raising concerns about religious demographics after the clip circulated. Fox News added that other X users responded by saying Sneako should be sent to Iran or calling him a "disgusting creature."
The streamer also made another post on X over the weekend which read: "Islamic Republic of Ameristan.
"Inshallah your household hears the call to prayer blaring through the window 5x a day."
"So Sneako is back at it again," wrote Jones in response. "Now he is declaring America to be an ‘Islamic republic.'"
The row comes amid heightened national attention on Mamdani, whose election had already become a national political flashpoint.
He used his victory speech to describe New York as "a city of immigrants" that would now be "led by an immigrant," the city's first Muslim mayor, and a self-described democratic socialist whose affordability platform and defeat of Andrew Cuomo fueled debate inside the Democratic Party over its ideological direction.
Newsweek contacted the mayor’s office for comment via email on Monday.
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 11:21 AM.