QAA Podcast – Episode 359: The Skokie Affair (E359)

Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Jake Rockatansky, Liv Agar, Travis View

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into "The Skokie Affair," an infamous legal and cultural battle that unfolded in 1977 when the National Socialist Party of America (NSPA), an offshoot of the American Nazi Party, attempted to stage a march in Skokie, Illinois—a suburb with a large Jewish population, including many Holocaust survivors. Through a mix of personal stories, historical research, and current events commentary, the hosts explore the enduring tension between free speech, hate speech, and the fight against fascism in America. Interlaced throughout are updates on contemporary neo-Nazi and far-right activity, drawing uncomfortable but illuminating parallels between then and now.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal & Historical Introduction

[00:50–07:47]

• Jake shares memories growing up in Skokie, a Jewish suburb of Chicago: “You know, my grandparents, they had, you know, Tevye statues and stuff in the basement. … These were Jewish people.” (Jake, 02:49)
• He discusses the humor and unique self-critique within Jewish culture, as well as childhood experiences that intersected with identity and mild trauma.
• The hosts laugh about growing up atheist or enduring Christian Sunday school and how identity impacts childhood worldview.

2. Contextualizing Skokie and Neo-Nazi Activity

[07:47–13:13]

• Jake introduces the historical "Skokie Affair," explaining his motivation to research it properly after misunderstanding it in a prior episode.
• Liv and Travis riff on the public rebranding of American Nazis and how today’s neo-Nazis operate openly.
• Introduction of Frank Collin, leader of the NSPA, and his rationale for escalating neo-Nazi demonstrations.

3. Modern Update: QAnon Nazis & Jaden Scott

[13:13–20:03]

• Jake gives a current event update on Jaden Scott, a far-right influencer blending QAnon rhetoric, white nationalist aesthetics, and online performativity.
  • Notable Quote:

    "We have the ball from fifth generation warfare... I'm here, boots on, growling in my bunker."
    – Jaden Scott video (10:34)

• The hosts mock Scott’s bunker videos for their theatricality, awkward production, and reception online, highlighting how even some right-wing supporters criticize his delivery:
  • “I've seen some gay shit before, but this is peak butt plug material.”
    – Crypto Soprano (Jake, quoting, 13:36)
  • “Conservative here. I get the sentiment, but this is low key gay. Gives me liberal theater boy vibes.” (Soflo Rat, 14:15)
• They note a shift in QAnon culture: from “Trust the plan—Patriots are in control” to “You are a patriot in control,” and muse on the blurred distinction between ironic trolling and sincere belief in these circles.

4. Contemporary Skokie Echoes: Public Far-Right Performances

[20:03–29:46]

• Discussion of Jake Lang, another far-right figure, who vandalized a “Prosecute ICE” ice sculpture, was arrested, and made self-incriminating posts online—a sign of the performative self-destruction endemic to this movement.
• Commentary on how modern social media platforms boost the reach and self-image of even marginal extremist figures:
  • “Folks, we've got the dumbest Nazis.” (Jake, 26:08)
• Reflection on the fake metrics and audience engagement possibilities on X (Twitter), drawing analogies with QAnon’s conspiracy about simulated environments.

5. Historical Deep Dive: The Skokie Affair

[29:46–68:06]

a. Background – Skokie, Neo-Nazis, and Trauma

[29:46–42:43]

• Skokie had a high population of Holocaust survivors: "An estimate... 40,500 were Jewish... [Skokie had] the largest number of Holocaust survivors outside of Israel." (Jake, 32:12)
• Introduction of Frank Collin (born Cohen), the NSPA leader, whose father was a Dachau survivor:
  • “Can you imagine... it's one thing if your kid doesn't become a doctor or a lawyer, God forbid, but a Hitler worshipping Nazi?” (Jake, 33:32)
• Collin’s radicalization is traced to the aesthetics of Hitler propaganda:
  • “I saw a great man, deeply committed to something very powerful. I've loved Hitler ever since." (Frank Collin, 35:12, cited by Travis)

b. Provocation and Public Fear

[41:19–44:46]

• The NSPA distributed threats and swastika-laden pamphlets in Jewish neighborhoods: “We are coming in all capital letters.”
• Residents, especially Holocaust survivors, experienced genuine terror at threat of a Nazi return:
  • “The Nazis are coming back. They're coming again.” (Howard Reich recalling parents’ reaction, 42:40)
• Collin expresses genocidal intentions in the press:
  • “I hope they're terrified. I hope they're shocked, because we're coming to get them again... the unfortunate thing is that there were so many Jewish survivors.” (Frank Collin, 43:27)

c. Skokie Responds: Legal, Civic, and Grassroots Actions

[44:46–52:32]

• Skokie tries to block the Nazis with prohibitive insurance requirements for parade permits.
• Community and Jewish groups are galvanized; debates ensue on whether to ignore the Nazis or directly counter-protest.
• Metacommentary on media complicity and the utility of denying Nazis a platform:
  • “I have a right to put him on, but I shouldn't? … I thought it was poor judgment.” (Dialogue between Abbott Rosen and Phil Donahue, 44:34)

d. Legal Battle – Free Speech vs Protection from Hate

[52:32–66:23]

• The legal fight centers on whether banning or restricting the Nazi demonstration violated the First Amendment.
  • David Goldberger (ACLU lawyer): represented Collin in the name of keeping “the law clean,” despite being Jewish himself (54:20).
• Community testimony underscores both potential for self-control loss and the deep psychological violence of the march.
  • “...the very thought of seeing their uniforms in Skokie has gotten them beyond their rationality.” (Fred Richter, 55:35)
• Judge Wasek is openly hostile to Nazi cause:
  • “I have here a village with a great number of Jewish people... I have here before me a group of citizens... who endured, suffered, and God knows what happened to their respective families.” (Judge Wasek, 59:38)
• Multiple legal maneuvers, injunctions, and new city ordinances follow, escalating the case up to the Illinois and US Supreme Courts.
• Despite legal victories for free speech (including the right to display the swastika), the NSPA never actually marched in Skokie, opting for downtown Chicago instead.

6. Legacy, Parallels, and Fallout

[66:23–71:48]

• The Skokie case damaged the ACLU’s membership and finances because of their defense of Nazi speech.
  • “The ACLU lost about 30,000 members... The income that disappeared... was about $500,000 a year.” (Jake, 63:33)
• Hosts note the tactical differences between historic and contemporary fascists: Collin’s long-game manipulation vs. today’s terminally online, irony-poisoned, less strategically competent influencers.
• After prison (for child molestation—68:41), Collin pivoted to New Age and ancient aliens grifting, showing the mutability of fringe figures over decades.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I've seen some gay shit before, but this is peak butt plug material.” – AI Soprano Twitter reply mocking Jaden Scott’s video (13:36)
• “Patriots are done. This is no longer fifth generation warfare. This is no longer peaceful protest. This is a goddamn Marxist insurgency and it will be dealt with like such.” – Jaden Scott video (11:47)
• “Folks, we've got the dumbest Nazis.” – Jake (26:08)
• “White men, white women, Swastika is calling you. The Jew is using the black as muscle against you.” – Speech lifted from NSPA answering machine, later lampooned in Blues Brothers (47:16)
• “If they march here, if they bring the swastika here, I swear to you, nothing, there is nothing, will keep me from fighting.” – Dramatic Scokie survivor in CBS film adaptation (48:39)
• “...in our opinion, they compel us to permit the demonstration as proposed, including display of the swastika.” – Illinois Supreme Court, final decision (65:03)
• The hosts’ conclusion: “I can only hope that our current Nazis will also be themselves found to be pedophiles and arrested.” – Jake (72:17)

Thematic Takeaways & Reflections

• Echoes Through Time: The episode draws clear lines from the NSPA of 1977 to today’s digital-age fascists—showing both the new trajectories of radicalization and the old, ugly cores.
• Free Speech Conundrum: Skokie is used as a prism for examining the deep challenges of American speech law—defending the indefensible has costs and paradoxes the ACLU still struggles with.
• Fascist Performances: Both eras feature performative hate—marches, costumes, videos—engineered to terrorize, provoke, and win attention rather than broad support.
• Resistance Then & Now: The counter-protest tactics, legal maneuvers, and community organizing of the Skokie era loom as both caution and inspiration for activists who confront modern extremism.

Key Timestamps

• 01:47 – Introduction to Skokie and personal context
• 09:22 – Modern neo-Nazi influencer update
• 13:36 – Jaden Scott's video and online ridicule
• 20:11 – Jake Lang vandalism/ICE incident
• 29:46 – Main history segment: The Skokie Affair
• 32:12 – Skokie's Holocaust survivor population
• 33:26 – Frank Collin's background and radicalization
• 42:40 – Holocaust survivors’ fear and trauma, family reactions
• 47:16 – Pop culture: Blues Brothers and the Nazi speech
• 54:20 – ACLU representation and legal dilemma
• 59:38 – Judge Wasek’s powerful rebuke of Nazism
• 65:03 – Supreme Court decision on free speech and swastika
• 68:41 – Frank Collin’s criminal conviction and afterlife as pseudoscientist

Tone & Language

The episode moves between dark humor, caustic ridicule, earnest historical narration, and moments of heartfelt personal reflection. The hosts remain irreverent about the idiocy of fascists but serious about the dangers. Jake, Liv, and Travis freely share anecdotes and opinions, blending banter and sound analysis in their trademark style.

Conclusion

Through the lens of the Skokie Affair, the QAA hosts examine the recurring specter of American fascism, the dilemmas of free speech, and the evolution of hate from parades to viral videos. The fallout for the ACLU and the ongoing necessity of vigilance against hate are clear, with history as both lesson and warning.

For more:

• Subscribe to the QAA podcast feed or join their Patreon for deeper dives (patreon.com/qaa)
• Liv’s writing at thevegar.com and Twitch streaming at twitch.tv/laveagar