Meghan Markle’s brother has been criticized for launching a new round of online abuse against her via his YouTube channel.
Thomas Markle Junior targets the Duchess of Sussex with insulting comments and strange conspiracy theories. Notable figures, including politicians and royal commentator Jennie Bond, have urged the major website to take action.
What makes matters worse is that Thomas Markle Junior makes a profit from these YouTube videos as viewers send him monetary tips in response to his blatant comments. Meghan and her half-brother, embroiled in a long-running family dispute, have reportedly not spoken in more than a decade.
Jennie Bond, a former BBC correspondent, was among the critics who condemned the internet tirades, which she called ‘grotesque’. She added: “To let your own flesh and blood lead, the attack must feel like the ultimate betrayal for Meghan,” the Mirror reports.
There is speculation that Thomas Junior will receive advertising revenue from YouTube in addition to electronic contributions from viewers. We recently reported the material to the US-based social media giant, known for its strict regulations aimed at preventing offensive language.
The videos surfaced just weeks after Kate Middleton, who is currently battling cancer, was targeted by online trolls. Royal expert Bond expressed her dismay and asked: “Have we learned nothing?”
These videos were posted shortly after Meghan gave a speech highlighting the “dangerous environment” social media creates for women.
The Mirror can reveal that Thomas Jr, 57, a former glazier, is entertaining viewers with a series of bizarre conspiracy theories about Meghan, Prince Harry, 39, and their two children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two. The publication brought this content to the attention of former Technology Minister Damian Collins, who accused online platforms of “profiting from misery”.
He stated: “The major social media companies must do more to combat harmful content on their platforms, including campaigns of harassment and intimidation. They have created systems that have not only allowed conspiracy theories to flourish, but are actively promoted by the recommendation systems designed by these big tech companies.”
In a disturbing video uploaded to his channel a few days ago, Markle Jr. pretending to be his sister by wearing a long, dark wig and stuffing what looked like a pillow under his T-shirt while holding a tiara. He mimicked the sound of the air being released, put on a fake female voice and introduced himself as “Me-gain”.
In a series of videos that have been viewed thousands of times, Thomas Jr. unsubstantiated online smears about Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. He also mocked Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, calling it “American River Whore Orchard.”
Just a month ago, Meghan gave an impassioned speech at the SXSW festival in Texas, warning of the serious mental health consequences of social media.
During the keynote speech, she highlighted the potential dangers of social media for young girls. She spoke candidly and shared her own experiences of receiving “catty” and “cruel” comments during both of her pregnancies, claiming, “We have forgotten our humanity.”
The controversial videos, with one calling Meghan “a narcissist” and attributing mental illness to her, are yet another development in a long-running family dispute involving her brother Thomas Jr., sister Samantha, 59, and father Thomas Markle, 79.
Meghan has been at odds with the trio since she stopped communicating with her father following his exposure for colluding in paparazzi-style photo shoots, which led to him missing her wedding to Harry in May 2018. The retired Hollywood lighting director was unable to attend the historic ceremony at Windsor’s St George’s Chapel due to two heart attacks he suffered in the run-up to California.
Meghan, who was instead escorted down the aisle by Harry’s father King Charles, 75, emotionally reported in a Netflix documentary: “I lost my father in this.”
The Duchess is also locked in a bitter legal battle with Samantha, who is trying to sue her for defamation in Florida over comments she made during her and Harry’s 2021 TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. The case was dismissed last month, but Samantha has since filed an appeal.
Thomas Jr. The Duchess previously caused a stir in January 2017 when he was picked on after threateningly pointing a gun at his then-girlfriend’s head during a drunken argument.
He also wrote an open letter to Harry before their wedding, warning him that he would regret the marriage. In one of his latest videos, uploaded earlier this week, Thomas Jr. defended his right to talk about Meghan on his YouTube channel and bragged about his plans to make even more money by selling his own line of merchandise, including t-shirts, glasses and mugs.
Addressing his sister as if she were present, he said, “It’s not just your freedom of speech, Meghan, it’s everyone’s freedom of speech, so if you don’t like it, don’t watch, right. He added,’ He added, “I’m going to ride those coattails baby! Oh yeah, if it wasn’t for Meghan Markle, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Markle Jr.’s videos may violate YouTube guidelines. They claim that “harassment and cyberbullying are not allowed” and claim that they remove millions of videos every year for violating their policies. They also state that they have a “clear policy” against content targeting an individual with persistent or malicious insults, or threats based on characteristics such as protected group status or physical characteristics.
Thomas Jr, who has more than 36,000 YouTube subscribers, did not respond when The Mirror asked for an explanation. YouTube was contacted for comment.
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