H3 Podcast Ethan Klein
The H3 Podcast, hosted by Ethan Klein, has been embroiled in multiple high-profile controversies spanning political commentary, collaborator relationships, legal disputes, and platform sanctions.
Pre Button
The best way to categorize said drama aspects are "Pre Button". Due to two strikes the H3 Podcast got on their channel, they decided to implement a dump button allowing them to cut the last 30 seconds of the production, if they feel it might bring the ire of YouTube. These key incidents include controversial statements made by Klein, such as a joke about conservative commentator Ben Shapiro during a discussion on antisemitism in October 2022, which resulted in a temporary YouTube suspension for violating harassment policies. Another suspension occurred in May 2022 following remarks about bombing an NRA convention.
Significant fallouts with collaborators have marked the H3 Podcast's recent history. The popular Frenemies podcast with Trisha Paytas ended abruptly in June 2021 amid disputes over finances, creative control, and interpersonal issues. Subsequently, the Leftovers podcast with political commentator Hasan Piker concluded in October 2023 following disagreements stemming from a discussion on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Master Timeline of H3 Podcast Controversies and Key Events (Recent Years)
Date/Approx. Timeframe | Event Description | Key Figures Involved | Platform/Context | Public/Media Reaction Summary/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
April 2016 | Copyright lawsuit filed by Matt Hosseinzadeh | Ethan Klein, Hila Klein, Matt Hosseinzadeh | h3h3Productions (YouTube) | Lawsuit filed over alleged copyright infringement in a reaction video. |
May 2016 | Fair Use Protection Account (FUPA) established | Ethan Klein, Hila Klein, Philip DeFranco | GoFundMe / Legal | Fundraiser initiated by DeFranco raises $130k for legal defense; FUPA created. |
August 2017 | Hosseinzadeh v. Klein lawsuit won by Kleins | Ethan Klein, Hila Klein, Matt Hosseinzadeh | US District Court | Judge rules Klein's video constituted fair use; significant persuasive precedent for YouTube fair use cases. |
September 2020 | Frenemies podcast begins | Ethan Klein, Trisha Paytas | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Successful but tumultuous co-hosted show launched. |
May 2021 | Triller files copyright lawsuit against H3 Podcast | Ethan Klein, Hila Klein, Triller | US District Court | Triller seeks $50M damages for alleged piracy of Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight footage. |
June 2021 | Frenemies podcast ends | Ethan Klein, Trisha Paytas | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Paytas quits after dispute over revenue split (5% fee), creative input, and interpersonal issues during episode 39. Public fallout ensues. |
June 2021 | Families podcast begins | Ethan Klein, Donna Klein, Gary Klein | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Launched in response to Frenemies ending, co-hosted by Ethan's parents. Later ended in August 2021. |
~June 2021 onwards | Reported family tension (Hila Klein/Moses Hacmon) | Hila Klein, Moses Hacmon, Trisha Paytas | Personal/Family | Strain reported due to Hacmon's relationship with Paytas, linked to Frenemies drama; continued estrangement noted. |
September 2021 | Leftovers podcast begins | Ethan Klein, Hasan Piker | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Leftist political commentary show launched. |
May 2022 | YouTube suspension for NRA convention bombing joke | Ethan Klein | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Channel suspended after Klein joked someone should bomb the NRA convention. |
October 17, 2022 (approx) | Makes Holocaust joke about Ben Shapiro | Ethan Klein, Ben Shapiro | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | During discussion on Kanye West/antisemitism, Klein jokes Shapiro should be "gassed first" in another Holocaust. |
October 20-21, 2022 | YouTube suspension (Shapiro joke) | Ethan Klein | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Channel receives strike and 1-week suspension for violating harassment/bullying policy. Video removed. Klein blames "white supremacists" & Shapiro supporters. |
October 20, 2022 | Leftovers episode discussing suspension removed | Ethan Klein, Hasan Piker | YouTube | Episode #29 ("Ethan Is Cancelled...") removed due to channel suspension; remains on audio platforms. |
Late 2022 / Early 2023 | BBTV revenue dispute becomes public | Ethan Klein, BBTV | Public Statements | Klein accuses MCN BBTV of improperly withholding $620k in channel membership revenue and threatens legal action. |
October 12, 2023 | Leftovers podcast ends/goes on hiatus | Ethan Klein, Hasan Piker | H3 Podcast (YouTube) | Show ends shortly after contentious episode discussing Israel-Gaza conflict. Klein reportedly criticized for comments on conflict history. |
August 2024 | Triller / Ryan Kavanaugh lawsuits settled | Ethan Klein, Hila Klein, Triller, Ryan Kavanaugh | Legal System | Multi-year copyright and defamation lawsuits reach settlement; terms not disclosed. |
Post Button
The recent drama surrounding Ethan and the H3 Podcast is Post Dump Button, so anything really after the October 2022 episode. Drama surrounding the H3 Podcast is more directly related to the Israeli Palestine conversation. Which for the purposes of this drama, is going to be the focus going forward.
Israel-Palestine Discourse
Klein's personal background—being Jewish, a dual US-Israeli citizen, and having met his wife Hila (an Israeli citizen) while she was on leave from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) —informs his engagement with the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Most notably, discussions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict became the breaking point for the Leftovers podcast co-hosted with Hasan Piker. The show went on hiatus and ultimately ended in October 2023 shortly after an episode dedicated to the topic. Reports indicated Klein faced criticism for his comments during this discussion, particularly for demanding "proof" regarding the historical context of the conflict.
This article is still being actively updated
Drama Timeline
iDubbbz produces a content cop
iDubbbz once a long time friend of H3 and collaborator, decided to create a content cop directly going after Ethan and his behaviour.
Leftovers with Hasan Piker
A Left leaning politics podcast featuring Hasan Piker and Ethan Klein
This podcast has since been terminated and is the recent subject of a lot of active drama regarding Ethan.
