¶ Overview
- Herrera is also known for joking that a Nazi machine gun was “the original ghetto blaster” and “Hitler street sweeper.” In the same video he “goose-stepped” to a Nazi marching song. Herrera had previously played Nazi marching songs in a 2020 video about Nazi guns. He also boasted about owning a 1939 copy of “Mein Kampf.” In 2024, the Republican Jewish Coalition denounced him for being a “goose-stepping extremist.”
- Herrera also faced criticism for a joke he made about veteran suicide. During one of his podcast appearances, Herrera said, “If it makes everyone in the room feel better, I often think about putting a gun in my mouth so, I’m basically an honorary veteran.” Texas Republicans, including Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks criticized Herrera’s comment.
- Herrera frequently made comments unbecoming of a prospective member of congress. On many occasions, Herrera posted sexually explicit content as comments on Twitter, when responding to criticism, and joking around with his friends. More than once, Herrera told Twitter users to “Gnurgle My Balls.” Herrera often used an insult against disabled people, once even using a Nazi concentration camp photo and insults against disabled and LGTBQ+ people all in the same post. Herrera often used language that was meant to demean women casually on his social media. Herrera also made fun of women’s appearances. Finally, in one video where Herrera conducted a shooting test, he said he was using a ham as the target, which while expensive was “still cheaper than a homeless person.”
¶ Herrera Posted A Video In Which He Used Nazi Weapons And Sang Nazi Songs
¶ Herrera Joked a nazi Machine gun was the “The Original Ghetto Blaster” and “HITLER Street Sweeper”
Brandon Herrera: “This, If You Can't Tell, Is The MP 40, The Original Ghetto Blaster. If The MG 42 Was Hitler's Buzz Saw, The MP 40 Was Hitler Street Sweeper.” According to a YouTube video posted by Brandon Herrera, “HERRERA: Today we are out here on the range with an iconic historic submachine gun. A gun that, as the kids say, is a whole ass vibe. This, if you can't tell, is the MP 40, the original ghetto blaster. If the MG 42 was Hitler's buzz saw, the MP 40 was Hitler Street sweeper.” [YouTube, @BrandonHerrera, 5/24/22], (00:00:01 -> 00:00:21)
- 2022: Herrera Filmed A Video In Which He Shot A Nazi Submachine Gun, Which He Referred To As “The Original Ghetto Blaster,” Alluding To The Nazis’ Killing Of Jews. According to Jewish Insider, “Brandon Herrera, a 28-year-old Republican congressional candidate challenging Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) in next month’s GOP runoff, has posted as recently as 2022 YouTube videos replete with imagery, music and jokes about the Nazi regime and the Holocaust and was also active for years with a Sons of Confederate Veterans group in North Carolina. […] In one video from 2022, he shows off the MP-40, a submachine gun developed in and widely used by Nazi Germany. He refers to it, seemingly jokingly, as ‘the original ghetto blaster’ — apparently alluding to the Nazis’ killing of Jews.” [Jewish Insider, 4/1/24]
¶ Herrera Played The Nazi Marching Song As He Shot The Weapon He Dubbed “The Original Ghetto Blaster”
May 2022: Herrera “Goose Stepped” To The Nazi Marching Song “Erika.” According to Jewish Insider, “Brandon Herrera, a 28-year-old Republican congressional candidate challenging Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) in next month’s GOP runoff, has posted as recently as 2022 YouTube videos replete with imagery, music and jokes about the Nazi regime and the Holocaust and was also active for years with a Sons of Confederate Veterans group in North Carolina. […] The video, which appears to take a sarcastic tone, includes a montage of Herrera and an associate firing the weapon, goose-stepping and showing off other Nazi weaponry, set to the song ‘Erika,’ which was popularized as a Nazi marching song and which has seen frequent use in modern neo-Nazi and far-right propaganda. The montage culminates with Herrera’s associate, wearing a camouflage outfit with colors resembling a pattern used by the Waffen SS, beginning a Hitler salute before being stopped by Herrera, seemingly in jest. [Jewish Insider, 4/1/24]
¶ 2020: herrera played nazi marching songs in the background of a video that talked about nazi guns
2020: Herrera Played The Nazi Marching Songs In The Background Of A Video That Talked About Nazi Guns. According to Jewish Insider, "Herrera also played ‘Erika’ in the background of a previous video from 2020, which also covered Nazi guns, along with other Nazi military marching songs, including ‘SS marschiert in Feindesland’ (SS marches in enemy territory) and ‘Panzerlied’ (Tank Song). Herrera’s YouTube account liked several comments on that video praising his use of the Nazi marching songs." [Jewish Insider, 4/1/24]
¶ herrera boasted about owning a copy of mein kampf
HEADLINE: "Texas GOP Candidate Brandon Herrera Discussed Owning A Copy Of Mein Kampf On Podcast" [Jewish Insider, 3/6/36]
During A 2024 Podcast Appearance, Herrera Said He Owned A 1939 Copy Of “Mein Kampf.” According to Jewish Insider, "During a 2024 appearance on the ‘Unsubscribe’ podcast, another guest joked that he had been deeply involved in communism until he had read another book, producing a copy of Mein Kampf. Herrera, who appeared to immediately recognize the book when others on the podcast did not, promptly turned to his phone to produce a picture of his own copy of the Nazi manifesto. ‘That’s my copy at my house next to a bunch of the German stick grenades,’ Herrera said. ‘I got the 1939 edition printed in English just because I thought it was wild that you couldn’t buy it on Amazon but you could buy The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital,’ he added, making a confused face. Herrera and the others on the podcast went on to make fun of the Nazi book, describing it as poorly written, also laughing at a dramatic reading an antisemitic passage of the book by one of the hosts. Herrera’s comments during the segment indicate that he has reviewed this version of Mein Kampf — annotated in English prior to World War II with criticism of Hitler’s writing and ideas — in at least some degree of detail." [Jewish Insider, 3/6/36]
¶ the republican jewish coalition denounced herrera as a “goose-stepping extremist”
The Republican Jewish Coalition Called Herrera “A Goose-Stepping Extremist Who Pals Around With Online Nazis.” According to a press release from the Republican Jewish Coalition, “We need to keep Tony Gonzales working for the causes we care about in Congress. His opponent, Brandon Herrera, is a goose-stepping extremist who pals around with online Nazis, and has promised to join the ‘chaos caucus’ that has frustrated the efforts of the GOP majority in the House to pass essential legislation. As we’ve said all cycle: if you stand against the Jewish community, if you stand against America’s strategic ally Israel, the RJC will work to defeat you.” [Press Release – Republican Jewish Coalition, 5/17/24]
¶ Herrera: “I Often Think About Putting A Gun In My Mouth So, I’m Basically An Honorary Veteran”
¶ Herrera: “If It Makes Everyone In The Room Feel Better, I Often Think About Putting A Gun In My Mouth So, I’m Basically An Honorary Veteran”
Herrera: “If It Makes Everyone In The Room Feel Better, I Often Think About Putting A Gun In My Mouth So, I’m Basically An Honorary Veteran.” According to the San Antonio Express News, “Herrera also regularly participates in a podcast that sometimes includes offensive commentary or repeats racist stereotypes. In a recent episode of that podcast, Herrera repeated a joke about veteran suicides: ‘If it makes everyone in the room feel better, I often think about putting a gun in my mouth,’ he said. ‘So, I’m basically an honorary veteran.’ In the podcast, Herrera had said he’d wanted to make that joke during a recent speech but ultimately decided against it. He added that “every veteran I’ve ever told that joke to laughed their ass off.” The suicide rate for veterans is 150% higher than those who haven’t served, according to the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs.” [San Antonio Express News, 3/27/24]
¶ A Majority Of Poll Respondents Found Herrera’s Comments About Veteran Suicide Disturbing
March 2026: A Democratic PPP Poll Found 62% Of Respondents Said Herrera’s Comments About Veteran Suicide Gave Them Concern. According to Texas Tribune, “The Democratic PPP poll also found a distaste among voters for some of Herrera's more controversial comments. Sixty-two percent of respondents said a Herrera joke about veteran suicide - saying 'I often think about putting a gun in my mouth, so I'm basically an honorary veteran' - gave them concerns, while 58% were concerned about his ownership of Mein Kampf. The poll found that Herrera starts the general election race underwater, with 29% of voters having a favorable opinion of him and 35% viewing him unfavorably. While over 60% of voters said they were unfamiliar with Padilla Stout, her favorability rating stood at 21% favorable to 17% unfavorable.” [Texas Tribune, 3/12/26]
¶ Texas Had The Second Largest United States Military Veteran Population
2023: Texas Had The Second Largest United States Military Veteran Population Of About 1.5 Million People. According to Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, As of 2023, approximately 16.2 million military veterans reside in the United States. Texas alone has the second largest military veteran population at around 1.5 million people. This sizable community in Texas faces unique mental health challenges as they reintegrate into civilian life, including returning to jobs, communities, homes, and families. Annually, about 200,000 service members leave active-duty and return to civilian life. While transitions are difficult for most people, they are particularly burdensome for veterans and their families as they navigate the complexities in employment, housing, social support, and both physical and mental health. Studies indicate that 44 to 72 percent of veterans experience high levels of stress during this period. Inadequate support during this transition can have severe consequences.” [Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Viewed 3/16/26]
2023: The Veteran Suicide Report Indicated There Were 6,398 Suicides Nationwide, Including 581 In Texas. According to KSAT, “The VA’s veteran suicide report, recently released, compiles 2023 data and shows 6,398 suicides nationwide, including 581 in Texas. Most concerning to the experts was the suicide rate per 100,000 veterans, which rose from 34.7 in 2022 to 35.2 in 2023.” [KSAT, 2/24/26]
¶ texas republicans criticized herrera’s comments about veteran suicide
Thaddeus Cleveland, The Republican Sheriff Of Terrell County, Said He Was Appalled By The Comments Herrera Made About Veteran Suicide. According to Texas Voice, “In February, Thaddeus Cleveland, the Republican Sheriff of Terrell County, criticized Herrera for a joke Herrera made about veteran suicides. ‘I’m appalled at the ‘joke’ about ‘putting a gun in his mouth’ made by #BrandonHerreraforCongress regarding #veteransuicide,’ said Cleveland in a Facebook post. ‘I’m a Veteran, I have a son currently serving in the Middle East and throughout my career in the U.S. Border Patrol I served along side many Veterans of the United Armed Forces. Veteran suicide is real and an average of 17 Veterans take their life each day.’” [Texas Voice, 4/10/24]
Republican Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland Urged Voters To Watch Herrera’s Joke About Veteran Suicide And Decide If They Would Like Him To Represent Them. According to Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland’s Twitter, “I’m appalled at the ‘joke’ about ‘putting a gun in his mouth’ made by #BrandonHerreraforCongress regarding #veteransuicide. If you are thinking about voting for Brandon Herrera, watch this video and decide if you want him representing you. #veteransuicideawareness”
[Twitter, @SheriffThad, 2/14/24]
Texas Border Czar Mike Banks Called Herrera’s Comments About Veteran Suicide “Sickening.” According to San Antonio Current, “Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland also chimed in on Herrera’s attempt at humor in a lengthy Feb. 13 Facebook post. ‘I’m a veteran, I have a son currently serving in the Middle East and throughout my career in the U.S. Border Patrol I served alongside many Veterans of the United Armed Forces,’ Cleveland wrote. ‘Veteran suicide is real and an average of 17 veterans take their life each day.’ Texas Border Czar Mike Banks commented on Cleveland’s Facebook post, calling Herrera’s comments ‘sickening.’” [San Antonio Current, 2/19/24]
¶ Herrera Made Statements Unbecoming Of A Member Of Congress
¶ Brandon Herrera Posted Sexually Explicit Content On His YOUTUBE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AccountS
¶ Herrera Posted A Sexually Explicit Meme In Response To Criticism Of One Of His Videos
In Response To A Twitter User Who Criticized One Of His Videos, Herrera Commented With A Sexually Explicit Meme With The Caption, “Don’t You Have Some Cum To Eat?”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 7/19/24]
¶ Herrera Made Sexually Explicit Comments On His YouTube Channel
Herrera: “Because It's Had So Much Stuff Crammed Inside Of It, It's Just Like The Real Stormy Daniels.” According to Brandon Herrera’s YouTube, “GUEST: I did. I did at least one mag jump out of that today. And it is so filthy at this point that the amount of weird stuff that's been lodged inside it for the last couple of weeks that the rate of fire is so slow, it is more like a sewing machine than ever. It's literally the duh duh duh duh duh duh… HERRERA: Because it's had so much stuff crammed inside of it, it's just like the real Stormy Daniels.” [YouTube, @BrandonHerrera, 5/9/19] (video), (00:10:49 -> 00:11:12)
Herrera Made Inappropriate Jokes About Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine, Saying “Ukraine Was Looking Extra Submissive And Breedable” And “Russia Likes It When They Struggle A Little And Is Continuing These Advances.” According to Brandon Herrera’s YouTube, “HERRERA: The TLDR is I guess Russia decided Ukraine was looking extra submissive and breedable. Last night, at time of filming, Russia has finally moved into Ukraine. Ukraine is denying these advances with rockets. Russia likes it when they struggle a little and is continuing these advances with helicopters and tanks.” [YouTube, @BrandonHerrera, 2/25/22] (video), (00:00:13 -> 00:00:30)
¶ More Than Once, Herrera Told Twitter Users To “Gnurgle My Balls”
In Response To Criticism From A Twitter User, Herrera Wrote, “I Do Support You Gnurling My Balls, As Previously Stated.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 11/1/21]
Herrera: “Gnurgle My Balls, Snowflake.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 10/30/21]
¶ Herrera: “BBC Can Suck The Nastiest Of Dicks”
Herrera: “BBC Can Suck The Nastiest Of Dicks. State Owned Media Stay Losing.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 7/15/24]
¶ Herrera Joked About Masturbating On His Twitter Account
While Complaining About A Wrist Injury, Herrera Wrote, “I Couldn’t Use My Right Hand To Jerk Off If I Even Tried.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 1/9/22]
¶ Brandon Herrera Used An insult Against Disabled People Often On Social Media
¶ Herrera Used A Concentration Camp Photo And An Insult Against Disabled And LGBTQ+ People All In The Same Social Media Post
Herrera Shared A WWII Photo With The Caption, “Me, Calling Camp Guard Charlie Warzel A Fucking Gay Retard.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 10/11/24]
- Herrera Was Responding To A Post About An Atlantic Article That Was Titled, “Why Everyone That Says Gay And Retard Belongs In A Camp.”
[Twitter, @DonutOperator, 10/11/24]
- The Photo Was Part Of A Series Of World War 2 Photos From The U.S. Army Signal Corps.
[Museum of Modern Art, Viewed 3/6/26]
¶ Herrera Touted A Video In Which A Podcaster Perpetuated A Conspiracy Theory That Helen Keller Was A Fraud And Called Her “Retarded”
Herrera: “I’ve Somehow Just Found The @Murkadurkah PKA Rant About Helen Keller Being A Literal Retard, And It Has Been The Funniest 10 Minutes Of My Week."
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 9/4/20]
- July 2020: Taylor Of The PKA Podcast Went Into Elaborate Detail About A Conspiracy Theory That Helen Keller Was A Fraud And Called Her “Retarded.” According to a PKA Clips video, “TAYLOR: So I will make the case, that at the absolute best, and this is at absolute best, Helen Keller was able to say and comprehend a few words and short phrases. All the advanced speech she gave was trained and rehearsed for her by her trainer and teacher, Anne Sullivan, almost like a parrot more than a person. And so, I will say this, she went blind and deaf at 19 months old, do you know what the prognosis is for children who go blind and deaf at 19 months old in the year 2020 as opposed to the 125 years ago? It’s that they will never be able to function in society, they will never be able to communicate, they will not be able to engage in normal behavior, there is no hope, you just have to mitigate it. […] Is it a coincidence that in all of human history there have been blind/deaf people, not once in human history other than Helen Keller have they been able to engage with someone like this in this way. […] So I am saying it is simple, it is far more likely she is a hoax and it is likely that of all blind deaf people throughout human history she is the only one that was capable of speech and not only speech because remember this, this is not reported that she was able to recognize water, it was reported that she was a very political person with astute observations about the goings on of society. […] I will say this, there was an established way that Anne Sullivan said that Helen Keller communicated and that was to mix single measures, single positions in the hand of Anne Sullivan that meant different letters. Yet in all of these speeches Helen Keller is furiously signing, not that furious because she’s retarded.” [PKA Clips, 7/18/20] (video)
- @MurkaDurkah Posted A Video Where He Did What He Called A “’Helen Keller Is A Retard’ Bit,” Which He Said Was “The Most Fun I Ever Had On The Show.”
[Twitter, @MurkaDurkah, 12/8/24]
¶ On His Twitter Account, Herrera Frequently Used An Insult Against Disabled People To Attack Other Users
Herrera: “It’s Not Crying Like A Pussy To Call You A Fucking Retard Though. If You Don’t Like It, Stop Saying Retarded Shit.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 7/14/25]
In Response To A Post About Damage Caused By AR15 Rounds, Herrera Wrote, “Source: A Retard.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 7/15/24]
While Responding To A Now Suspended Account On Twitter About Guns, Herrera Used The Word “Retard.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 10/27/24]
- In A Second Response To A Suspended User, Herrera Wrote, “Bragging About Having More Views But Fewer Likes Isn’t A Flex Retard. It Also Doesn’t Make You Less Retarded.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 10/27/24]
While Engaging With Twitter Content Critical Of JD Vance, Herrera Wrote, “‘God Hates Anyone I Disagree With’ Is A Retard’s Guide To Both Politics And Christianity.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 9/28/25]
In Response To A User Who Posted One Of His Videos, Herrera Wrote, “At First I Didn’t Realize You Were Trolling, And Was Worried You Were Legitimately Retarded.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 8/4/24]
In Response To A Twitter User Who Posted One Of His Videos, Herrera Wrote, “I’m Genuinely Not Sure If You Know The Post You Shared Is Calling People Like You Retarded Or Not.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 7/22/25]
¶ Herrera Used Language That Was Meant To Demean And Degrade Women
¶ Herrera Used The Word “Pussy” Casually On His Social Media
Herrera: “It’s Not Crying Like A Pussy To Call You A Fucking Retard Though. If You Don’t Like It, Stop Saying Retarded Shit.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 7/14/25]
¶ Herrera Said He Bought A Four-Door Car Because He Learned That “4 Doors Means More Whores”
Herrera Said He Bought A Four-Door Car Because He Learned That “4 Doors Means More Whores.”
[Twitter, @TheAKGuy, 3/9/23]
¶ Herrera Made Fun Of Women’s Physical Appearances
After Getting Splashed With Dressing, Herrera Said It Would “Make Me Irresistible To The Fat Bitches.” According to Brandon Herrera’s YouTube, “HERRERA: Just now, set up our four bottles of Ranch and thousand Island dressing. And the one thing I hadn't considered is that the old Thousand Island dressing would still be out here, and it hasn't rained since we shot it. It's been a couple of days, and that smell is just downright awful. So, I want to go ahead and get up there and film this as fast as I can. And I'm going to go the hell home and take a shower. Three, two, one. [HERRERA WAS SPLASHED WITH DRESSING AFTER SHOOTING THROUGH THE BOTTLES AT CLOSE RANGE] Rub that in. Make me irresistible to the fat bitches. [YouTube, @BrandonHerrera, 9/23/20] (video), (00:01:20 -> 00:01:59)
Brandon Herrera: “I Saw A Statistic That Last Year More Fentanyl Came Across The Southern Border By Weight Than Would Be Required To Kill The Entire Population Of The Planet — Or About 26 Austin Feminists.” San Antonio Express-News, “Brandon Herrera opens many of his videos the same way: with that catchphrase, in a T-shirt, his hair slicked back, sitting in front of a wall showcasing dozens of guns. The social media personality-turned-San Antonio congressional candidate has more than 3 million YouTube subscribers who tune in to watch his very specific brand of content about firearms, politics and ‘dark humor.’ […] At the Gaetz event, Herrera made an indecent joke about women: ‘I saw a statistic that last year more fentanyl came across the southern border by weight than would be required to kill the entire population of the planet — or about 26 Austin feminists.’ Supporters laughed and clapped at his comment. ” [San Antonio Express-News, 3/27/24]
¶ Herrera Joked That He Used a Ham For A Shooting Test, Which Was “Still cheaper Than a Homeless Person”
When Conducting A Shooting Test, Herrera Said “So This Right Here Is About The Closest Thing We Could Get To A Flesh Simulation, Because Smithfield Ham, While Being Fairly Expensive, Still Cheaper Than A Homeless Person.” According to Brandon Herrera’s YouTube, “HERRERA: So this right here is about the closest thing we could get to a flesh simulation, because Smithfield Ham, while being fairly expensive, still cheaper than a homeless person. So, we've got a decent bit to show here. This is going to be penetrating in from this side and then blowing out a chunk right out of the brand new asshole that I carve into this piece of ham. [YouTube, @BrandonHerrera, 7/23/20] (video), (00:10:10 -> 00:10:30)