Smash JT, a YouTube creator, found himself facing a new wrinkle in his recent squabble with Kotaku author & Senior Editor Alyssa Mercante when GoFundMe temporarily suspended his defense fundraiser. The platform informed him via email that he needed to update his campaign or face its complete removal. In the meantime, all transactions have been paused, and Smash JT will not receive any funds until the situation is manually reviewed.
Smash JT via Smash JT YouTube
GoFundMe’s stated reason behind this halt appears to be due to a series of reports submitted by a vocal group of activists siding with Alyssa Mercante, against whom Smash JT is defending himself in a legal battle. These reports have led to GoFundMe putting his fundraiser on hold, demanding specific changes to be made. According to Smash JT, he must modify the story and remove any names or potentially “defamatory language,” a request that he finds biased and unfair.
“This isn’t just about protecting their buddy Alyssa,” Smash JT states. “It’s about power and censorship at any cost. They can’t handle an ‘L’ and are now going after my funding sources.”
This tactic seems just another way to extend what is already a lengthy saga between Smash JT and Alyssa Mercante and now the further efforts of her radicalized supporters. The goal of Mercante and her ilk, Smash JT argues, is not to engage in fair discourse but rather to eliminate any opposing voices from the conversation. These tactics, according to Smash JT, are akin to “pure evil activism.”
For Smash JT, this experience reflects a broader strategy used by activists, which he describes as attempting to silence dissenting voices by going after funding sources, just as they did to other figures in the gaming community. He draws a parallel with Nick Calandra founder of Second Wind, an outspoken defender of Alyssa Mercante, who has also been known to support targeting funding sources of anyone that opposes his point of view.
“This isn’t about my GoFundMe,” Smash JT explains. “This is about a much larger movement that uses bullying and censorship as weapons to enforce compliance.”
Nick Calandra on X
The email from GoFundMe stated that if they don’t hear back from him within seven days, they will refund the donations and remove his campaign. Smash JT finds this treatment inherently unfair, particularly when all he is trying to do is defend himself in court against Alyssa Mercante’s accusations. He believes GoFundMe’s decision to suspend his campaign is evidence of its susceptibility to manipulation by bad actors who wish to shut down their critics.
In his video, Smash JT even reads the email aloud: “Dear GoFundMe user, we’ve temporarily paused GoFundMe because we need you to add some additional information to your fundraiser story. Please be aware that while our team works with you to gather more information, your fundraiser bank transfers and ability to create fundraisers are temporarily suspended.”
What followed was a request from GoFundMe that Smash JT needed to remove the image attached to the fundraiser, along with any direct names and language that could be interpreted as defamatory. Smash JT questions this requirement, asking, “Defamatory to who? Because this person is trying to defame me and going on the attack against me, and I’m not allowed to defend myself and say this is what she’s doing to me?”
Smash JT via Smash JT YouTube
Faced with this challenge, Smash JT has taken steps to comply with GoFundMe’s requirements. Updating the fundraiser, removing Alyssa Mercante’s name and even the name of his legal representative, Ron Coleman (Which, editorially, I think is ridiculous). He also swapped the thumbnail—initially a still from one of his videos featuring Alyssa—with a generic image of a gavel. Though Smash JT complied with the requirements, he still feels the situation reveals how platforms like GoFundMe can be exploited by those with an agenda. This isn’t the first time that GoFundMe has found themselves embroiled in controversy, such as the February 2022 Trucker Convoy Fundraising effort.
For Smash JT, this isn’t his first encounter with these kinds of tactics. He says Alyssa Mercante’s supporters have previously gone after his website, tried to get him fired from his job, and even contacted his wife in an effort to disrupt his personal life. He views these attempts as the work of people determined to silence anyone who disagrees with them. It appears that if someone exposes them or their hypocrisy they are targeted.
“They refuse to stop until their opponent is entirely incapacitated,” Smash JT continues, “They use terms like justice and equity, but they practice something very different—silencing dissent, stamping out criticism, and leaving scorched Earth in their wake.”
Alyssa Mercante on X
Despite the constant attacks, Smash JT is steadfast in his efforts to fight back. He refuses to be silenced or intimidated or be put at odds with the YouTube terms of service with a forced apology statement. “I am not going anywhere,” he states, making it clear that he’s determined to continue his fight, no matter the obstacles.
He also highlights the overwhelming support from his community. Noting that the majority of people have rallied behind him, providing support and encouragement throughout this ordeal with the former Stripper & Cam Girl, turned Senior editor at Kotaku.
“Anyone that stoops to this level and tries to take down someone’s GoFundMe page is proof that they are losing,” he says. “We’re winning, and they can’t stand it.
Smash JT via Smash JT YouTube
For now, Smash JT waits for GoFundMe’s response on the current status of his campaign. He remains hopeful that the platform will ultimately do the right thing and reinstate his fundraiser. In the meantime, he is looking at options, considering other crowdfunding alternatives and seeking additional support from his community in other ways.
This situation underscores a broader trend, where individuals who challenge certain activists face intense opposition, often aimed at crippling them financially and socially. The ultimate goal, Smash JT believes, is not to win an argument or prove a point but to silence anyone who doesn’t conform. Reminds me of a power that rose to prominence in the 1930 through 1940s.
Smash JT via Smash JT YouTube
While Smash JT faces an uncertain path ahead, one thing is clear: He’s not backing down. As he continues to struggle against this from of oppression, what do you think? Will Smash JT find a means to turn the tables on Alyssa Mercante and her radicalized supporters? Will he and Ron Coleman be able to recover the expense that Alyssa is subjecting them to?
Let us know with your comments down below.
