Vendome Nightclub Antisemitic Incident

The Vendôme Nightclub Antisemitic Incident, also known in whitewashing term as the Heil Hitler Song Controversy [-understatement], refers to a deeply disturbing event on January 17, 2026, at Vendome, a mostly Arab owned Miami Beach nightclub, where a group of notorious radical right-wing influencers, known for their antisemitic and extremist views, requested and partied to Kanye West's horrific song "Heil Hitler," which glorifies Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust. This incident highlighted the ongoing threat of Jew-hatred in modern society and sparked widespread condemnation from Jewish organizations, community leaders, and allies committed to combating antisemitism. It underscored the resilience of the Jewish community in Miami and beyond, as figures like entrepreneur David Grutman and local officials took swift action to denounce and isolate the perpetrators, reaffirming that hate has no place in a diverse and inclusive society.

Background

Vendome, a high-profile nightclub in Miami Beach, was founded by French citizens Jonathan Mansour, Adel Bourkia, Byram Zaied, and Fallou Bathily. The ownership reflects troubling connections to Islamist and Arab backgrounds that raised concerns in light of the incident's antisemitic nature. Jonathan Mansour, of Arab-Iraqi roots, was prominently seen in the video footage alongside the influencers during the hateful display. Adel Bourkia and Byram Zaied are Arabs, while Fallou Bathily is of Senegalese West African descent, hailing from a country that is 94-97% Muslim. These ties amplified fears within the Jewish community about the normalization of anti-Jewish rhetoric in spaces influenced by Islamist ideologies.

The influencers involved have long histories of promoting hatred against Jews. Andrew Tate, who converted to Islam and has praised ISIS while becoming vocally pro-"Palestine," was joined by his brother Tristan Tate. Nick Fuentes, a well-known white nationalist and Holocaust denier, led the "Heil Hitler" chants. Myron Gaines, whose real name is Amrou Fudl, is described as a black Muslim fascist with a track record of antisemitic statements. He was filmed making the Nazi salute abd shiuting "Jews mad." Others present included Clavicular, "Sneako" - Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy converted to Islam in 2023, and Justin Waller, all associated with the "manosphere" and far-right circles that often intersect with anti-Jewish extremism.

Kanye West's song "Heil Hitler" had already been banned on major streaming platforms for its explicit glorification of Hitler, making its playback at a public venue particularly egregious and harmful to Jewish patrons and the broader community.

The Incident

On January 17, 2026, at Vendome Miami club, Andrew and Tristan Tate, Nick Fuentes, Clavicular, Amrou Fudl AKA Myron Gaines, Sneako, and Justin Waller sang and partied to Kanye West's horror song "Heil Hitler." Nick Fuentes led the "Heil Hitler" chants during what was described as "Hitlerist Islamo Arab clubbing." The group, in the VIP section, requested the song during a bottle parade, and the club obliged, allowing the hateful lyrics to echo through the venue. Videos captured the scene, showing the influencers enthusiastically participating, with club owner Jonathan Mansour standing alongside them.

This act was not just a lapse in judgment but a direct assault on Jewish dignity, evoking the horrors of the Holocaust where six million Jews were murdered under Hitler's regime. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) rhetorically asked, "Why would a nightclub play a song that glorifies Hitler and was banned by multiple streaming platforms?" Imagining Jewish patrons subjected to Nazi salutes and antisemitic glorification, the ADL declared, "This is not ok."

Backlash and Response

The videos quickly drew widespread backlash, with hundreds of commenters flooding Vendome's Instagram page and calling for a boycott. In response, Vendome issued a statement on January 19, 2026, condemning antisemitism and hate speech, calling the incident "deeply offensive and unacceptable." The club fired three employees involved and permanently banned Fuentes, Gaines, Tate, and others from the premises. They acknowledged that the episode "should never have occurred" and implemented new safeguards to prevent future incidents. Vendome noted its diverse ownership, including members of the Jewish community, though this claim was met with skepticism given the founders' backgrounds.

Jewish leaders and allies responded heroically. Steven Meiner, the Orthodox Jewish mayor of Miami Beach, stated he was "deeply disturbed by these videos of twisted individuals glorifying Hitler and the murder of millions," emphasizing that Miami Beach is a "welcoming, inclusive city built by people of all backgrounds and faiths." Daniella Levine Cava, mayor of Miami-Dade County, called the incident "deeply disturbing and unacceptable," affirming, "We stand against antisemitism and all hate, and expect swift accountability to keep our community safe and respectful for all."

Miami nightlife entrepreneur David Grutman emerged as a beacon of moral courage. After the neo-Nazis were welcomed at Vendome, Grutman banned them from all his nightclubs and restaurants, declaring they have no place in his venues or city. The End Jew Hatred organization praised him as "Hero of the Week," stating, "When Jew-hating rhetoric shows up at your door, you don’t appease it, you shut it down." Grutman's stand exemplified the Jewish value of standing up for what's right despite the hate.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner condemned the incident, stating his office is investigating, emphasizing that such groups should not be given a platform or VIP treatment in the inclusive city, and noting outreach from other club owners who avoid hosting them.

Miami Beach Commissioner Joseph Magazine said: “joking or mocking the deaths of millions of people is one of those unspoken societal lines you just don’t cross.”

The incident served as a stark reminder of the persistent danger of antisemitism, often amplified by Islamist and far-right alliances, but also highlighted the strength and unity of the Jewish community in confronting and overcoming such hatred.

A "Palestine" social media account highlighted Sneako complaining he was pressured to apologize.

Vendôme hypocrisy by Arab owners

The club initially issued a strong statement condemning antisemitism, hate speech, and prejudice, claiming it fired several staff members, permanently banned the individuals involved, and implemented new protocols to prevent recurrence.

However, Page Six reported that video evidence appears to show the club's owners, Byram Zaied and Jonathan Mansour, partying alongside the group throughout the evening. Clips depict a man resembling Zaied standing next to Andrew Tate, and one appearing to be Mansour at Tate's table, where staff provided shout-outs and an illuminated “Welcome Andrew Tate” sign.

Club representatives did not respond to questions about the owners' presence, and Mansour hung up on a reporter and ignored follow-up messages.

Also, a reporter reached out to the nightclub twice and to Mansour on LinkedIn for answers to questions, including who was terminated, whether Mansour was standing alongside the influencers as the song played, and if so, his reasoning behind allowing the song. Vendôme and Mansour did not respond.

The PageSix report highlights the hypocrisy of the club's response given the owners' apparent involvement.