Asmongold Steps Down from OTK Leadership Following Backlash Over Palestine Comments

Prominent Twitch streamer Asmongold has announced that he is “stepping away” from his leadership roles at OTK and Starforge following backlash over his comments on Palestine.

In a 20-minute apology video uploaded to YouTube on October 16, 2024, he called his statements about the conflict “horrible, disgusting, and mean-spirited.” The backlash began after he made inflammatory remarks during a Twitch stream on October 14, where he claimed he wouldn’t “cry a river” for the people killed in Palestine, suggesting they come from an “inferior culture.”

In his apology video, Asmongold took responsibility for his comments and outlined his plans for the future. He expressed a desire to reduce his streaming hours and focus more on creating YouTube content that is enjoyable and uplifting. “I want to try things that are fun and laugh more with people rather than at people,” he said. Recognizing his need for self-improvement, he admitted to feeling like he has “devolved” into an “a**hole” over the last two years.

Near the end of his video, Asmongold confirmed his intention to step back from OTK and Starforge, saying, “I want to do this not only for them, but mainly for myself so I can be a better version of myself for everyone.” Additionally, he mentioned plans to visit the Middle East in late 2025 to gain a firsthand perspective on the region, acknowledging that he has only encountered negative portrayals of it.

Asmongold also shared his goal of cleaning his notoriously messy house himself, viewing it as “penance” for his past wrongdoings. “I want to take accountability for the bad things I’ve done and for letting my life get this out of control,” he stated. His apology and reflections come after a temporary ban from Twitch on October 15, following the controversial comments he made on his stream.