Who Is Benny Johnson — And Why Is Everyone Talking About Him Now?

Benny Johnson is an American conservative political commentator, YouTuber, and viral media figure whose name is trending again due to his growing online influence and renewed controversy over his past. Born on May 27, 1987, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Johnson has built a massive following by producing fast-paced political videos and commentary, amassing over 5.7 million subscribers and more than 4.2 billion views on his YouTube channel.

Johnson’s content, often mixing humor with sharp political takes, has made him a staple in right-wing media. He has worked with several conservative outlets including Breitbart News, TheBlaze, National Review, and The Daily Caller. But his rapid rise has not been without turbulence — his career has faced several scandals and public scrutiny over the years.

Benny Johnson’s Rise and the Controversies That Followed

Johnson began his career in digital media at BuzzFeed in 2012, where he was known for his viral political posts. However, his career took a major hit in 2014 when BuzzFeed fired him after discovering dozens of instances of plagiarism in his work. Johnson publicly apologized for the incidents, but the episode became a defining controversy early in his career.

After leaving BuzzFeed, he briefly joined National Review and later became creative director at Independent Journal Review (IJR). His tenure at IJR also ended contentiously — he was suspended in 2017 following backlash over a story that linked former President Barack Obama to a controversial court ruling without evidence. Johnson eventually left IJR the same year.

Despite these setbacks, Johnson reinvented himself as a prominent online political voice. He went on to work with The Daily Caller and later served as Chief Creative Officer at Turning Point USA, a major conservative youth organization. His short-form political videos — often filmed in the field or responding to breaking news — helped him rebuild his brand and reach new audiences.

In recent years, Johnson’s commentary has frequently gone viral, earning him both praise and criticism. Supporters see him as a bold conservative voice unafraid to challenge mainstream narratives, while critics argue that his commentary sometimes blurs the line between opinion and misinformation.

Recent Headlines and Renewed Scrutiny

Johnson found himself at the center of public debate again in 2025 after appearing in the White House press briefing room as part of a new policy inviting “independent digital media” personalities to ask questions. Critics raised concerns about partisan influencers shaping public discourse from such platforms.

Adding to the attention, law enforcement officials announced in October 2025 that a California man had been arrested and charged with sending a death threat to Johnson and his family. The incident highlighted the polarized climate surrounding political commentators and the risks faced by prominent figures on both sides of the political spectrum.

At the same time, Johnson’s recent remarks on crime and law enforcement have sparked new debates online. Fact-checkers and media watchdogs have scrutinized several of his statements, accusing him of exaggerating or misrepresenting events — a charge Johnson and his supporters deny, arguing that mainstream outlets are biased against conservative voices.

Today, Benny Johnson remains one of the most-watched and most-discussed conservative media personalities in America. His influence shows how political commentary has evolved in the digital age — and why the figures driving those conversations often become the story themselves.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Benny Johnson?

He is a conservative political commentator, YouTuber, and digital media figure known for viral political videos and commentary.

Q2: Why is he trending now?

He recently appeared in the White House briefing room and has faced renewed scrutiny over past controversies and current commentary.

Q3: What controversies has he faced?

He was fired from BuzzFeed in 2014 for plagiarism and suspended from Independent Journal Review in 2017 for a controversial article.

Q4: How popular is his platform?

His YouTube channel has over 5.7 million subscribers and more than 4.2 billion views, making him one of the most influential conservative voices online.

Q5: What’s the latest news about him?

In October 2025, a man was arrested for sending a death threat to Johnson and his family, underscoring the risks faced by high-profile media figures.

References

Reuters. (2014). “BuzzFeed writer Benny Johnson fired for plagiarism.” July 26, 2014.

The Washington Post. (2017). “The Independent Journal Review suspends Benny Johnson over Obama article.” March 21, 2017.

Axios. (2017). “Benny Johnson exits Independent Journal Review.” December 15, 2017.

ABC News. (2025). “California man charged with threatening conservative commentator Benny Johnson.” October 10, 2025.

BBC News. (2025). “New media influencers gain access to White House press briefings.” October 4, 2025.