TikTok removed an inflammatory video posted by celebrity beauty mogul Huda Kattan after she spread antisemitic conspiracy theories to her more than 11 million followers, CNN reported. The founder of the billion-dollar Huda Beauty brand falsely accused Israel of orchestrating World War I, World War II, the September 11 terrorist attacks, and Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.
"Israel's been behind WWI, WWII, September 11, October 7."
Huda Kattan's blood libel video was removed by ТikТok for violating guidelines. Huda also says Israel steals Palestinians' organs.
Why hasn't @sephora removed her billion-dollar makeup brand for her many violations? pic.twitter.com/p7224lZ4YU
— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) August 3, 2025
Kattan's video contained historically impossible claims, as both World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) occurred before Israel was established as a state in 1948. The beauty influencer made the unfounded allegations on camera, stating that Israel "allowed all of this stuff to happen" and asking viewers if they believed Israel was "behind every world war."
CNN confirmed through a TikTok representative that the platform removed Kattan's content for violating community guidelines. TikTok's policy states the company does not "allow misinformation that may cause significant harm to individuals or society, regardless of intent" and seeks to "operate on a shared set of facts and reality."
The video sparked immediate backlash from Jewish organizations and calls for major beauty retailers to sever ties with Huda Beauty. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, condemned Kattan's statements to CNN, saying she "built a brand around beauty – but these antisemitic conspiracy theories are nothing short of ugly hate."
The American Jewish Committee shared Kattan's removed video on social media, describing it as spreading "vile antisemitic conspiracy theories" that included accusations about "harvesting the organs of Palestinians, causing 9/11, and running global pedophile rings." The organization emphasized this content represents "centuries-old hate, repackaged and broadcast to millions."
Huda Kattan built a brand around beauty, but these antisemitic conspiracy theories are nothing short of ugly hate.
Spreading vile myths about Jews to millions of followers isn't just reckless—it's dangerous. https://t.co/gpTxJAo15y
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 30, 2025
Kattan's agency did not respond to CNN's request for comment. A manager previously listed as representing Kattan told CNN in an email that they no longer work with her.
The controversy has generated widespread calls for Sephora and other major retailers to ban Huda Beauty products from their stores. Huda Beauty was valued at $1.2 billion in 2017 and generates approximately $200 million in annual sales, according to Forbes data cited by CNN. Forbes recognized Kattan on their 2023 list of America's Richest Self-Made Women and included her among their Most Powerful Women in Business in 2024. The company maintains over 57 million followers on Instagram.
Ari Hoffnung, managing director of the Jewish nonprofit JLens, told CNN that "retailers have a choice" between continuing to "platform a brand whose founder promotes hate-fueled conspiracy theories" or taking "a stand against antisemitism."
This marks the second major boycott campaign against Kattan since October 7, 2023. Within a week of Hamas attacking Israel, an Israeli Instagram user threatened to boycott her products, prompting Kattan to respond that she didn't "want blood money," CNN reported. That exchange led to a Change.org petition receiving over 30,000 signatures calling for Sephora to remove Huda Beauty products.
