Karl Stefanovic's controversial podcast interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson sparks backlash
Consensus Summary
Australian television presenter Karl Stefanovic faced backlash after his podcast interview with far-right UK activist Tommy Robinson was removed from major platforms within hours of its release on June 23, 2026. The interview, which included Stefanovic praising Robinsonās 'tenacity' and laughing after calling UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer a 'wanker', sparked controversy due to Robinsonās history of inflammatory rhetoric and legal troubles, including convictions for contempt of court, fraud, and assault. Channel Nine, Stefanovicās employer, distanced itself from the content, stating the podcast is independent but taking the matter seriously, while One Nation leader Pauline Hanson accused Nine of trying to sack Stefanovic and reposted the full interview. Robinson, known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration activism, has been condemned by UK political leaders and linked to recent unrest in Northern Ireland. Stefanovicās shift toward far-right figures has drawn comparisons to US podcaster Joe Rogan and raised concerns among Nineās journalists about the networkās reputation.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Karl Stefanovic interviewed UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) on his podcast, the Karl Stefanovic Show, on June 23, 2026.
- The interview was removed from YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts less than 12 hours after its debut on June 23, 2026.
- Tommy Robinson has a criminal record including convictions for contempt of court, mortgage fraud, using a false passport, and assault, with a 2024 jail sentence for ignoring a court order.
- Karl Stefanovic described Robinson as 'the ultimate disruptor' in a promotional video where they walked arm-in-arm in London, laughing after Stefanovic called UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer a 'wanker'.
- Channel Nine stated that the Karl Stefanovic Show is an independent production, with no involvement in guest selection or editorial processes, but is 'taking this matter seriously'.
- Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, posted the full deleted podcast interview on her YouTube channel and accused Nine of trying to sack Stefanovic.
- Stefanovic reportedly earns $2.8 million annually at Nine, where he co-hosts the Today show and anchors major news events.
- Robinson co-founded the English Defence League, an anti-Islam movement, and has been condemned by multiple UK prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, who called him a 'far-right thug'.
- Stefanovicās podcast launched in January 2026, with Nine approving it in exchange for a pay cut.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Stefanovic told Ant Middleton, a former soldier and Robinson ally, that he would 'make a great prime minister' and that Middleton was 'what this country needs'.
- Middleton lamented that the right had been 'over-passionate' and 'over-patriotic', to which Stefanovic replied, 'You canāt be over-patriotic.'
- Robinson was held by British police for about three hours under counter-terrorism laws after returning from a trip to Russia, where he met Elon Muskās father.
- Stefanovicās rightward shift has prompted comparisons to US podcaster Joe Rogan, whom Stefanovic jokingly referred to as 'Joe Bogan'.
- Stefanovicās Australian podcast guests have included One Nationās Pauline Hanson, Barnaby Joyce, Sean Bell, Tony Abbott, John Howard, Alex Antic, Matt Canavan, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- Nine approved Stefanovicās podcast launch late last year in return for him taking a pay cut.
- Stefanovic is understood to be making exit plans from television at Nine.
- The activist group Mad F--king Witches threatened a campaign against Stefanovic similar to their successful pressure on ARN over broadcaster Kyle Sandilandsā history of crude remarks.
- Stefanovicās interview with Ant Middleton remains live on YouTube, while the Robinson episode was removed.
- Robinson was previously banned from Australia but was hosted by the Trump administration earlier in 2026.
- Robinson described Muslims as 'filthy scumbags' and called for people to 'make war' on Islam, and was previously banned from Facebook for posts encouraging violence against followers of the Koran.
- Darja Wischerath, a researcher at Bath University, stated that while Robinson did not explicitly incite violence, his rhetoric created preconditions for it by framing peaceful methods as failures.
- Robinsonās strategy involves connecting current events with conspiracy theories about immigration and government, keeping his followers engaged.
- Robinson was at far-right rallies in response to the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Novak and supported anti-migrant protests in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage publicly distanced himself from Robinson, saying he would not be welcome in his party.
- Stefanovicās upcoming podcast guests include One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, rightwing activist Holly Valance, and Dr Aseem Malhotra, who claims Shane Warneās death was connected to the COVID vaccine.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and SMH state the Robinson interview was removed from YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, but the ABC notes that the removal was not confirmed by YouTube and that the decision was unclear.
- The Guardian and SMH report that Stefanovic is on two weeksā leave from Today, while the ABC does not mention his leave status explicitly.
- The Guardian states that Stefanovic is making exit plans from television, but the ABC and SMH do not mention this explicitly.
- The SMH and ABC mention that Robinson was previously banned from Australia, but the Guardian does not reference this specific detail.
Source Articles
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