# Entity: Rebel Media / Rebel News

# Entity: Rebel Media / Rebel News

## Basic Information
- **Type**: Right-wing media platform
- **Status**: Active
- **HQ**: Canada
- **Founder**: Ezra Levant
- **Former name**: The Rebel Media (rebranded to Rebel News)
- **Political role**: Host platform for Shillman Fellows (counter-jihad network)

## Role in Ecosystem

Rebel Media (now Rebel News) is a Canadian right-wing media platform that served as the host organisation for Robert Shillman's fellowship programme. It employed Tommy Robinson, Katie Hopkins, Laura Loomer, and Raheem Kassam as "Shillman Fellows" — funded by US tech billionaire Robert Shillman and managed by the David Horowitz Freedom Center.

Rebel Media is the **key node** in the transatlantic counter-jihad funding pipeline:

```
Robert Shillman (US tech billionaire)
  → David Horowitz Freedom Center (manages fellowships)
    → Rebel Media / Rebel News (hosts fellows)
      → Tommy Robinson (£85k fellowship)
      → Katie Hopkins (fellowship)
      → Laura Loomer (fellowship)
      → Raheem Kassam (fellowship)
```

## Money IN (Funding Received)

| Date | From | Amount | Type | Confidence | Source |
|------|------|--------|------|------------|--------|
| 2015-ongoing | Robert Shillman / DHFC | Unknown (significant) | Fellowship funding | CONFIRMED | Wikipedia, Observer |
| Ongoing | Subscriptions / donations | Unknown | Viewer funding | REPORTED | Platform |
| Ongoing | Advertising | Unknown | Revenue | REPORTED | Platform |

## Money OUT (Funding Given)

| Date | To | Amount | Type | Confidence | Source |
|------|------|--------|------|------------|--------|
| 2017-2018 | Tommy Robinson | ~£85,000 | Fellowship salary (1 year) | CONFIRMED | The Observer |
| 2017-2018 | Katie Hopkins | Unknown | Fellowship salary | CONFIRMED | Wikipedia |
| 2017-2018 | Laura Loomer | Unknown | Fellowship salary | CONFIRMED | Wikipedia |
| 2017-2018 | Raheem Kassam | Unknown | Fellowship salary | CONFIRMED | Wikipedia |

## Known Associations

| Person/Org | Relationship | Evidence |
|-----------|-------------|----------|
| Ezra Levant | Founder | Public knowledge |
| Robert Shillman | Fellowship funder | Wikipedia, Observer |
| David Horowitz Freedom Center | Fellowship manager | Al Bawaba |
| Tommy Robinson | Former fellow/employee | Observer |
| Katie Hopkins | Former fellow | Wikipedia |
| Laura Loomer | Former fellow | Wikipedia |
| Raheem Kassam | Former fellow | Wikipedia |

## Significance

Rebel Media is the operational hub of the transatlantic counter-jihad network:
1. **US money → Canadian platform → UK/European influencers**
2. Provided legitimacy and reach to far-right content creators
3. Fellowship model obscured direct donor-recipient relationship
4. Created interconnected web of influencers who amplified each other
5. Tommy Robinson's transformation from street agitator to media figure happened here

## Research Notes

**Key questions**:
- **Ezra Levant**: Full profile, other political funding?
- **Canadian corporate structure**: Registration, financial filings?
- **Current fellows**: Who are the current Shillman Fellows at Rebel News?
- **Revenue model**: How much does Rebel News make from subscriptions/donations?
- **Other UK connections**: Any other UK-based content creators?

## Last Updated
- **Date**: 2026-06-14