Ms. Rachel Comes Under Fire for Liking Antisemitic Instagram Comment

Children’s entertainerRachel Accurso, known to millions of families as Ms. Rachel, is facing backlash after screenshots circulated online appearing to show her Instagram account liking an explicitly antisemitic comment that read, “Free america from the Jews.”

The comment appeared beneath a now-deleted Instagram post shared by Accurso, 44, that read, “Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran,” accompanied by each country’s national flag, according to theNew York Post.

Screenshots of the comment and the apparent “like” were widely shared on X and other platforms, prompting swift condemnation from Jewish advocacy groups and calls for accountability from parents and educators who follow Accurso’s work.

In an emotional video statement posted to Instagram, Accurso has denied endorsing antisemitism and said the interaction was accidental. “I thought I deleted a comment and I accidentally hit ‘like,’” she said. “I’m a human who makes mistakes. … I feel like we can’t be human anymore online.”

Accurso, a wildly popular child education influencer with 4.8 million Instagram followers and 18.6 million YouTube subscribers, added, “I’m old and I’m not that good at touching things online, I guess.”

A representative for Accurso issued a statement from the social media star in response to the controversy.

“Yesterday, I accidentally liked a hateful comment on my social media while trying to delete it,” the statement reads. “I have always been completely clear on this; I do not support language that targets or harms the Jewish community or any community. Antisemitism and hate of any kind have no place in my life or my work. Everything I do is rooted in kindness, inclusion and care for all humanity. Those values guide me every day, and I remain firmly committed to them.”

The firestorm intensified after additional screenshots circulated showing an account calling itself thepalestinenewsnetwerk commenting, “Spoiler alert: They left the comment themselves.” Accurso responded, “ooooooooooohhhhh,” according to screenshots posted by multiple users. Critics said the exchange traded in antisemitic conspiracy tropes.

HonestReporting, a media watchdog group that focuses on anti-Israel biases, issued a press release dismissing Accurso’s explanation. “The evidence suggests this wasn’t a one-off ‘thumb slip,’” the report reads. “It fits a broader public pattern,including repeated amplification of antisemitic misinformation and engagement with accounts and voices that glorify anti-Jewish extremism, all while leveraging one of the most trusted brands in children’s media.”

In 2025, StopAntisemitism.org criticized Accurso for hosting and amplifying Gaza-based photojournalist Motaz Azaiza, who is accused of praising Hamas‘ terrorist acts on Oct. 7, 2023, and who has posted comments like, “May God curse the Jews themselves.”

A former preschool teacher, Accurso launched her sing-along and educational videos during the COVID-19 pandemic to help parents support early language development at home. Her gentle delivery and inclusive messaging quickly drew a massive following, particularly among families with toddlers and children with speech delays.

That popularity has expanded beyond social media. Accurso has partnered withNetflix, where her children’s programming has ranked prominently in the platform’s kids category. While Netflix does not release detailed viewership figures, the company’s weekly top lists have repeatedly placed Ms. Rachel content among its most watched preschool offerings, signaling strong engagement with families globally.

The combination of enormous reach and a young audience has heightened scrutiny of Accurso’s online activity. Parents and media analysts say creators whose brands are centered on children face different expectations than entertainers whose audiences are primarily adults.

Jan. 22, 2:26 p.m. Updated to include a statement from Accurso.