Fitness Icon Jillian Michaels Shuts Down Baseless ‘White Nationalist’ Smear Live on Air [WATCH]

Celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels responded Monday after being labeled a “white nationalist” by New York Times contributor Wajahat Ali during a televised discussion following a deadly attack in Australia.

The exchange occurred during a segment of “Piers Morgan Uncensored” that addressed the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

At least 15 people were killed Sunday when two gunmen opened fire during an event known as Chanukah by the Sea, where hundreds had gathered, according to officials and media reports.

During the discussion, Ali criticized Michaels’ comments about Islamic extremism, describing her arguments as outdated before accusing her of holding white nationalist views.

Michaels addressed the topic by drawing a distinction between extremist ideology and the broader Muslim population.

“What I’m trying to say is that when people are labeled Islamophobic, I think what they’re often reacting to is an ideology that is not aligned with the West — not the vast majority of Muslims. Even if it’s, say, 10 percent, that is still a large number of people, and those are statistics,” Michaels said.

Ali responded by referencing the attack and disputing Michaels’ framing.

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“Individuals who were radicalized, we don’t know how, and saw Jews as the target through their dehumanization. There are 1.7 billion Muslim people on earth. Jillian’s talking points are from 2001, which is why I yawned. The DeLorean right now is in 2025,” Ali said.

Ali continued by directly accusing Michaels.

“Jillian, I know you’re discovering this. Congratulations. Let me just finish. I let you say a lot of hateful, stupid, reckless things. Jillian. You are a white nationalist. By your own admission. That’s what you are, a white nationalist. You admitted it,” Ali said.

Michaels immediately challenged the accusation, citing her own background.

“You know I’m Arab, right? I’m Syrian and Lebanese and Turkish. When did I say I was a white nationalist?” Michaels asked.

Ali then questioned whether his claim was based on a previous clip.

“OK, wasn’t there a clip of you saying you were a white nationalist? Oh, you’re not a white nationalist?” Ali asked.

After Michaels again denied the allegation, Ali reversed his statement.

“Interesting to know. All right. I’m under the mistaken impression. I thought you were a white nationalist. I’m glad you’re not,” Ali said.

Background information regarding Michaels’ family history has been publicly documented.

Her paternal grandparents were of Syrian and Lebanese origin, while her maternal grandfather was the son of Italian immigrants, according to IMDB.

Her maternal grandmother was born in Salford, England, to a Russian Jewish father and an Austrian Jewish mother.

There are no documented articles, profiles, or write-ups identifying Michaels as a white nationalist.

Ali is a writer who frequently focuses on topics related to the Muslim American experience, identity, and social justice.

He is a columnist for the Daily Beast and a former New York Times op-ed contributor whose work often addresses Islamophobia, race, immigration, and cultural inclusion.

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