Far-right figure Nick Fuentes is scheduled to face a court hearing later this month following allegations that he pepper-sprayed a woman who visited his residence in Berwyn, Illinois. This incident reportedly occurred after Fuentes made a controversial post on X, asserting a twisted version of the “my body, my choice” slogan.
According to legal documents, the 57-year-old woman approached Fuentes’ home on November 10, shortly after his address had been made public due to his post. Berwyn is a suburb of Chicago, with a population of approximately 54,000 residents. The woman recounted in an interview with a local newspaper that her friends had encouraged her to verify rumors that Fuentes was receiving prank deliveries in response to his online activity. She mentioned filming herself on the sidewalk outside of his residence when another woman in a car suggested she ring the doorbell.
Upon reaching Fuentes’ doorstep, she contends that he opened the door prior to her ringing the bell, then pepper-sprayed her, used foul language, and confiscated her phone. As a result of this encounter, Fuentes, aged 26, is facing a battery charge. His court appearance is set for December 19. On his social media account, he has shared various mugshots alongside a message stating “Free me (racial slur).”
Efforts to reach Fuentes for comment through social media were unanswered, and attempts to contact his lawyer were unsuccessful. Fuentes is often characterized as a Holocaust-denying white supremacist and is associated with a bold faction of right-wing influencers who have gained notoriety since Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency. This group has been known to amplify misogynistic rhetoric and threats through digital platforms.
Many individuals within this circle have adopted and distorted the “my body, my choice” slogan in a manner aligned with their ideology, which is seen in Fuentes’ November 5 post stating, “Your body, my choice. Forever.” This rephrasing represents their controversial take on abortion rights, co-opting language to promote their narrative.