Look, you see a lot of wild things on the internet. But when Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian was hit with a vile, racist comment last week, he didn’t just ignore it. He shut it down cold, and his response is now going viral for all the right reasons.
Key Takeaways
- Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’ husband, faced a racist comment on X stating, “Trust a snake over an Armenian.”
- He responded defiantly: “You must really hate how much we thrive despite y’all’s best efforts.”
- The incident happened after a talk show, TBPN, announced him as a guest.
- Ohanian is a proud Armenian-American whose father fled the Armenian genocide.
The Hateful Attack
So here’s what happened. A talk show called TBPN announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Ohanian would be an upcoming guest. Pretty standard stuff, right? Wrong. A user replied with a disgusting racist trope: “Trust a snake over an Armenian.” Yeah, they really posted that.
It’s a nasty, unfounded stereotype. And in a world where you can just scroll past the hate, Ohanian decided to stop and face it head-on.
A Masterclass in Shutting Down Hate
Instead of getting into a messy back-and-forth, Ohanian delivered a single, powerful blow. He quoted the hateful post and wrote, “You must really hate how much we thrive despite y’all’s best efforts.” That’s it. That’s the tweet.
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Social Media Storm
The response was immediate. Fans and followers absolutely erupted in support of Ohanian, praising him for his strength and for refusing to let racism slide. His reply wasn’t just a comeback; it was a statement of resilience that resonated with thousands of people who have faced similar prejudice.
Deeper Than a Tweet
But honestly, this isn’t just about a single comment. For Ohanian, this is personal. His connection to his heritage is incredibly deep. His own father emigrated to the United States to escape the Armenian genocide, a history that fuels his pride and his work.
Expert Analysis
When someone with a platform like Ohanian’s confronts racism so directly, it does more than just win a social media argument. It sends a clear message that such language is unacceptable. He’s not just defending himself; he’s defending his entire community. He actively works with nonprofit organizations in Armenia to support local communities, putting his money and effort where his mouth is. This isn’t performance; it’s who he is.
A Pattern of Advocacy
And if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know this isn’t new for him. Just recently, he publicly confronted ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith for comments Smith made about his wife, tennis legend Serena Williams, after her Super Bowl halftime show performance in February 2025. Ohanian is building a reputation as someone who will always stand up for what’s right, whether it’s for his family or his heritage.
He’s also a massive investor in women’s sports, inspired by Serena and Venus Williams. From the Athlos track event to women’s football clubs, he’s proving that backing women is not just the right thing to do, it’s also great business. So, what do you think of his powerful response?



