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Tim Dillon Was Far From Funny in ‘Joke’ About Jewish Control of the Media
A screenshot from Tim Dillon’s podcast mocking Bari Weiss and Jewish control of the media.
For Tim Dillon’s weekly podcast, the comedian wore a Hasidic beard, a black hat, had fake curls, and was flanked by two piles of bagels and a bottle of Manischewitz wine — all to mock Bari Weiss and supposed Jewish control over the news media.
According to Dillon, it’s the least antisemitic thing he’s ever done.
It’s not Halloween, but Dillon, who said he got his costume from Spirit Halloween, was set to inflame.
I personally don’t believe that Dillon is an antisemite. But he says things that certainly pander to those who are. Another problem is that it is difficult to tell whether or not something he says is a joke or serious. Case in point: he is among several comedians going to Saudi Arabia to perform in the Riyadh Comedy Festival.
It is illegal to be homosexual in Saudi Arabia. Dillon is openly gay. On his show, he said that because he is getting paid a lot of money (he claims not millions, like others), he is willing to look the other way on government policies not in line with human rights.
I would never perform or work in a country where being Jewish was illegal, though no such countries have asked me to sing or write an article for them. Dillon is free to do as he pleases, though I didn’t appreciate him joking about the date of his upcoming performance — that it is October 8, as October 7 might be too controversial.
Dillon talks about the importance of merit. Dillon’s podcast is popular because he is funny and can seemingly talk forever. But he should stop pretending to occasionally care about morals. Not when he platformed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who made money off of saying the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax. Dillon also had Candace Owens on as a guest, and had no pushback to what she has said about Jews and Israel.
Perhaps the worst joke of all, was when Dillon knocked over two piles of bagels and said “9/11.” While it’s clear he means it as a joke — and does not say he believes the Jews or Israel are responsible for 9/11 — he blurs the lines between what he believes to be true and what he is saying as a joke. That’s especially true when he has people on like Owens, who has made that claim about Jews and 9/11.
When he offers no pushback on people pushing hate and lies, he can always say he is only doing comedy and is not responsible for doing that. But is that true?
My number one rule in comedy is to be funny. Whether something is offensive or not can be examined as well, but at least be funny. Dillon usually is, but this time, he was not. Eating a bagel? Why is that funny? Maybe it was 20 years ago. And if the Jews already control the media, why would CBS need Bari Weiss? Why not credit her for her achievements? It takes both chutzpah and skill to leave a great job at The New York Times.
He called The Free Press a “glorified blog.” A little jealous, perhaps? It’s much more than that.
Commenting on Paramount possibly buying The Free Press, he says the brand equity is “shooting Palestinians in the face.” No, The Free Press did not say anyone should be shot in the face. But again, Dillon can say he was joking and not serious.
I have no problem with politicians making jokes, nor do I have a problem with comedians talking politics. I don’t believe one should stay in one’s lane. Anyone can talk about anything. But when life and death is involved — and you make it unclear whether you are joking or saying something you believe — it’s a problem. And when you say things are based on merit, but give no credit to Weiss, who did what few can do, and suggest she is being paid too much for her religion and not for reasons related to her ability, you are nothing but a hypocrite.
The author is a writer based in New York.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.