YouTuber Ms. Rachel breaks down in tears defending herself for ‘liking’ a nasty comment about Jews

A minor social media mistake unexpectedly pulled Ms. Rachel, the popular children’s YouTube educator, into public controversy. What began as a routine Instagram interaction quickly escalated after screenshots circulated online, leaving many followers unsettled.

Ms. Rachel had shared a post supporting several global causes, including messages calling for freedom in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and Iran. In the comments, one user posted an antisemitic remark. A screenshot later appeared showing that Ms. Rachel had seemingly “liked” the comment, giving the impression of approval.

The image spread rapidly, triggering backlash from fans who associate Ms. Rachel’s brand with kindness, inclusivity, and trust. As the screenshot circulated, confusion grew faster than clarification.

Ms. Rachel later explained that the interaction was accidental. She said that while trying to remove the offensive comment, she mistakenly pressed Instagram’s “like and hide” option, making it appear as though she endorsed the message.

In a heartfelt video apology, she expressed remorse to anyone who felt hurt. She clearly rejected antisemitism, noting that she has Jewish friends and family, and emphasized that the incident did not reflect her values.

Many supporters, including Jewish followers, accepted her explanation. They pointed to her long-standing public behavior and child-focused work as evidence that the incident was a technical error, not a reflection of belief.

The situation unfolded alongside a separate online controversy involving influencer Haliey Welch and a failed meme coin project, reinforcing a broader theme: in fast-moving digital spaces, reputations can be damaged instantly, while context and clarity often arrive too late.