Warning: Graphic images below.
Kalshi yanked affiliate badges after accounts tied to the platform circulated antisemitic posts — including a graphic that slapped NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s face onto Adolf Hitler’s body.
The posts spread on X, where several meme-style accounts displaying Kalshi affiliate badges shared or amplified the content, triggering outrage and dragging the prediction-market startup into a reputational firestorm.
Along with the photoshopped image of Silver, who is Jewish, the offensive material included an AI-generated video of Hitler posted by an NFL meme account that had been participating in Kalshi’s affiliate program.
The individual who compared Silver to Hitler was apparently angry that the NBA schedule required the Oklahoma City Thunder to play the San Antonio Spurs three times in a 12-day span — with San Antonio winning all three matchups.
Kalshi moved quickly to sever ties with the accounts involved, revoking their affiliate badges and publicly condemning the posts, which were flagged on social media by Substack author Dustin Gouker.
“We prohibit any content that promotes hate speech, and we immediately revoked these badges for breaking our rules,” a Kalshi spokesperson told the news site Front Office Sports.
The company said the badges were meant to indicate “brand affinity,” not formal representation, and emphasized that the offending accounts were not official representatives of Kalshi.
Even so, the incident appeared to expose potential cracks in Kalshi’s fast-growing affiliate operation, which relies on viral social media amplification to drive traffic to its prediction markets.
Kalshi allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, from elections to sports and economic data, and has leaned into online betting culture — particularly on X — to fuel growth.
The affiliate badge system was designed to signal informal partnerships with popular accounts, but critics say it blurs the line between independent creators and paid promoters.
In the wake of the antisemitic posts, critics argued that Kalshi’s loose oversight allowed inflammatory material to circulate under the company’s banner, even if indirectly.
The controversy was not the first time Kalshi affiliates have caused trouble.
Some were previously accused of spreading made-up sports news and falsely claiming journalistic credentials to juice engagement. In another episode, the company cut ties with an affiliate account after it publicly agreed with a xenophobic remark.
Those incidents raised concerns that viral misinformation, incentivized by affiliate perks, could distort public perceptions — and potentially influence the very markets Kalshi hosts.
The company operates a referral program for everyday users and a broader affiliate initiative aimed at online creators.
While the referral program rewards existing users and new signups with small bonuses once trading thresholds are met, the affiliate program focuses on reach.
Accounts granted badges can promote Kalshi-linked content to large followings.
Kalshi has encountered a range of legal and regulatory challenges.
The company is fighting a class-action lawsuit alleging it operates as an illegal and unlicensed sportsbook, with plaintiffs claiming users are often betting against Kalshi-linked market makers rather than other traders.
Kalshi has denied the allegations.
The platform has also drawn criticism from the National Collegiate Athletic Association over proposed markets tied to college athlete transfer decisions, prompting Kalshi to say it has “no immediate plans” to list such contracts.
The Post has sought comment from Kalshi.
