Ethan Ralph vs. transgender people

by Andrea James Reviewed April 30, 2025 8 min read

Ethan Ralph is an alt-right American podcaster, online troll, and anti-transgender extremist who rose to prominence during the Gamergate harassment campaign. Ralph has targeted trans people, most notably podcaster and game developer Brianna Wu.

Background

Ethan Oliver Ralph was born on September 20, 1985. Ralph earned a bachelor’s degree from University of South Carolina Upstate in 2011.

Ralph began publishing The Ralph Retort blog in 2012 and has hosted Killstream since 2014. The livestream frequently hosts extremist guests and shares extremist propaganda.

On August 27, 2016, Ralph was arrested for obstruction of justice and two counts of assaulting a police officer at the Executive Conference and Training Center near Dulles Airport in Sterling, Virginia:

Assault: LCSO responded to this location for a report of an intoxicated male sleeping in the lobby. Deputies attempted to wake up the male who in turn assaulted a deputy. The subject was identified as Ethan O. Ralph, 30, of Richmond, VA. Ralph was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and (2) counts of assault on law enforcement. He is currently being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond. C015472

In 2018 Ralph ran a YouTube fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children Hospital called #Healstream. St. Jude’s refused all donations that came from YouTube, and YouTube terminated Ralph’s account on November 3, 2018. Ralph was later suspended from DLive. Ralph has also streamed on Trovo Live and Twitch.

In January 2021, Ralph was one of several right-wing accounts that received Bitcoin donations from a French donor before the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Ralph received about $9,595 of the total $522,000 donated.

In 2022, Ralph pled nolo contendere to charges of disseminating revenge porn and received a suspended 12-month sentence following the conviction. The victim is the birth parent of Ralph’s child.

Attacks on Brianna Wu

From 2014 to 2018, Ralph published a series of blog posts targeting transgender podcaster and game developer Brianna Wu.

On October 30, 2014, Ralph posted, “I never knew who this dishonest grifter was before GamerGate, and I don’t think I’m alone.” Ralph linked to a video attacking Wu and commented on Wu’s performance in several interviews:

After a disastrous performance on Huffington Post Live, where she was obliterated by the owner of 8chan, Frederick Brennan, she tried to get in the last word. What happened next will live in infamy. But she didn’t stop there. Next, she insulted David Pakman, the host of a really well done internet/radio talk show. Pakman was firm and challenging throughout, but he was never once unprofessional. She couldn’t handle even the slightest counterpoint, and completely lost her cool. (She then later promoted an interview with Glenn Fleishman as “unbiased,” despite the fact that he was/is a financial backer of hers. Gotta love that SJW impartiality.)

In 2014 Ralph included a 2008 LiveJournal post by Wu attacking gay men and drag queens:

I don’t especially feel that gays are allies when it comes to women. I think that we usually get along well, but I have occasionally felt that gays see us primarily as competition for the penis. When I watch drag queens, I can’t help but feel insulted – as if that offensive cartoon is what they think feminine truth is there are so many issues women have that gay men never have to think about. Our increased health care costs, equal pay issues, access to reproductive health care and the threat of rape and violence. Concordantly, there are many gay issues that don’t affect me – I’ve never had to worry that society didn’t approve of my sexuality or marriage rights.

Ralph quoted from another of Wu’s posts as well:

My question to you is this: if we can all agree that it should be off-limits to slander niggers, broads, fags, chinks, wetbacks and nappy-headed hos, why should any of us feel so openly empowered to make fun of Christians?

Ralph also republished a doxing post by “FART2CONTINUE” disputing Wu’s claims of fleeing home due to trolls. The post had been removed from Medium for violating policies because it contained numerous images of the exterior and interior of Wu’s home as part of the evidence that Wu was still posting from home.

In another piece, Ralph quoted from a disparaging post by Alison McBain, ex-spouse of Brianna Wu’s spouse Frank Wu. Another post detailed negative responses from Wu’s supporters after Wu met with Stardock founder Brad Wardell, who felt gaming journalism had become biased “activist journalism.” A 2018 post criticized Wu’s campaign for Congress, noting the campaign raised $41,770 in 2017, produced what Ralph calls “the worst political ad I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” and predicting “I would be shocked if Wu gets over 1000 votes.” Wu eventually earned 16,878 votes, approximately 23% of the vote, in a loss to incumbent Stephen Lynch.

References

Doerer, Kristen (January 24, 2022). Far-Right Podcaster Ethan Ralph Convicted of Revenge Porn. Right Wing Watch https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/far-right-podcaster-ethan-ralph-convicted-of-revenge-porn/

Beaujon, Andrew (November 12, 2021). There’s a Very Real Potential for Violence at Saturday’s MAGA Events in DC, Say Extremism-Watchers. Washingtonian https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/11/12/saturdays-pro-trump-events-in-dc-have-a-very-real-potential-to-turn-violent-according-to-experts-who-track-extremism/

Doerer, Kristen (February 11, 2021). Far-Right Podcaster Accused of Revenge Porn Rejoices in Suspension of Case Against Him. Right Wing Watch https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/far-right-podcaster-accused-of-posting-revenge-porn-has-case-dismissed/

Sharif, Olga; Mehrotra, Kartikay (January 19, 2021). Far Right Groups Get Bitcoin Windfall Weeks Before Capitol Riot. Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-19/far-right-groups-get-bitcoin-windfall-weeks-before-capitol-riot

Staff report (January 14, 2021). Large bitcoin payment made to far-right individuals before U.S. Capitol attack: report. Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-cryptocurrency-idUSKBN29J2PM

Staff report (January 14, 2021). Alt-Right Groups and Personalities Involved In the January 2021 Capitol Riot Received Over $500K In Bitcoin From French Donor One Month Prior. Chainalysis https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/capitol-riot-bitcoin-donation-alt-right-domestic-extremism/

Jenna McLaughlin (January 14, 2021). Exclusive: Large bitcoin payments to right-wing activists a month before Capitol riot linked to foreign account. Yahoo News https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-large-bitcoin-payments-to-rightwing-activists-a-month-before-capitol-riot-linked-to-foreign-account-181954668.html

Ralph, Ethan (January 13, 2021). “DLive has suspended me for one month. The rest of this week’s Killstreams will be broadcast on Trovo.” https://twitter.com/TheRalphRetort/status/1349242150152777731 [archive]

Gais, Hannah; Hayden, Michael Edison (November 17, 2020). Extremists Are Cashing in on a Youth-Targeted Gaming Website. Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/11/17/extremists-are-cashing-youth-targeted-gaming-website

Nguyen, Tina (November 11, 2020). MAGA nation tries to rally around Trump with MAGApalooza. Politico https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/11/maga-rally-washington-dc-435958

Alexander, Julia (November 5, 2019). YouTube live streams get even more Twitch-like with Super Stickers launch. The Verge https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/5/20949437/youtube-live-streams-super-stickers-chat-cartoons-twitch-revenue

Gais, Hannah (October 23, 2019). YouTube Yanks Second Red Ice Channel. Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/10/23/youtube-yanks-second-red-ice-channel

Koh, Yoree (November 3, 2018). Hate Speech on Live ‘Super Chats’ Tests YouTube. Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/hate-speech-on-live-super-chats-tests-youtube-1541205849

Staff report (November 3, 2018). YouTube’s Super Chat hijacked for hate speech. CNET https://www.cnet.com/news/youtubes-super-chat-hijacked-for-hate-speech/

Holt, Jared (August 21, 2018). ‘Alt-Right’ Radio Host: Alex Jones Is A ‘Gateway Drug’ To ‘Our Side.’ Right Wing Watch https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/alt-right-radio-host-alex-jones-is-a-gateway-drug-to-our-side/

Moyer, Justin William (September 9, 2016). Gamergate activist charged with assault on officers, public intoxication in Virginia. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/gamergate-activist-charged-with-assault-on-officers-public-intoxication-in-virginia/2016/09/09/2751f216-76ac-11e6-8149-b8d05321db62_story.html

Florentine, Sharon (September 15, 2016). Gamergate leader’s arrest doesn’t signal change. CIO https://www.cio.com/article/3120724/gamergate-leader-s-arrest-doesn-t-signal-change.html

Gilbert, Ben (September 7, 2016). A prominent leader of Gamergate was just arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer. Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/ethan-ralph-gamergate-leader-arrested-2016-9

Wu, Brianna (September 7, 2016). Gamergate Leader Arrested on Two Felony Counts of Assaulting a Police Officer. The Daily Dot https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/gamergate-ethan-ralph-arrested/

Loudon County Sheriff (August 29, 2016). August 29, 2016. https://sheriff.loudoun.gov/Archive/ViewFile/Item/1251 [archive]

Ralph’s attacks on Brianna Wu

note: unlinked urls may contain deadnaming, outing, and doxxing

Ralph, Ethan (April 6, 2018). BROKE JOKE: Brianna Wu’s Campaign is a Massive Garbage Fire. The Ralph Retort https://theralphretort.com/broke-joke-brianna-wus-campaign-is-a-massive-garbage-fire-406018

Ralph, Ethan (September 18, 2015). WACKY WU: Deep Diving Examination of the Trans Samus Bullshit. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/wacky-wu-deep-diving-examination-of-the-trans-samus-bullshit/

Ralph, Ethan (September 10, 2015). Thoughts on Metal Gear Solid: V, Quiet, & Crazy Wu’s Column. The Ralph Retort https://theralphretort.com/thoughts-on-metal-gear-solid-v-wus-crazy-column-about-it-9010015/

Ralph, Ethan (September 3, 2015). PREDICTABLE: Crazy Wu Claims Transphobia After Non-Idiots Reject Trans Samus. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/predictable-crazy-wu-claims-transphobia-after-non-idiots-reject-trans-samus-803015/

Ralph, Ethan (September 2, 2015). Brianna Wu Trolls the Internet Once Again, Calls Samus Transgender in Mary Sue Column. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/brianna-wu-trolls-the-internet-once-again-calls-samus-transgender-in-mary-sue-column-902015/

Ralph, Ethan (August 17, 2015). VICTIM BUX STUNT: Wu “Leaves” Twitter Over SPJ AirPlay. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/victim-bux-stunt-wu-leaves-twitter-over-spj-airplay-8017015/

Ralph, Ethan (August 11, 2015). NEWS HIT FEAST: Tech Raptor, Wu & The Loot Crew, Roosh V, & SJWs Attack Eminem. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/news-hit-feast-tech-raptor-wu-the-loot-crew-roosh-v-sjws-attack-eminem-8011015/

Ralph, Ethan (July 29, 2015). UPDATE: Wu Deletes Bogus Adoption Posts From Yesterday. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/update-wu-deletes-bogus-adoption-posts-from-yesterday-7029015/

Ralph, Ethan (July 28, 2015). Deranged Wu Blames GamerGate For Not Being Able to Find Birth Parents. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/deranged-wu-blames-gamergate-for-not-being-able-to-find-birth-parents-7028015/#disqus_thread

Ralph, Ethan (July 27, 2015). Wacky Wu Back With Her Hand Out Again In Dishonest GameGate-Slamming Post. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/wacky-wu-back-with-her-hand-out-again-7027015/

Ralph, Ethan (July 13, 2015). TWITTER HIT: Wu Gets Featured in Playboy. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/twitter-hit-wu-gets-featured-in-playboy-7013015/

Ralph, Ethan (July 12, 2015). Weekender: Wu Gets Booted by Ghazi, Then Joins the SPJ; Coffin Corner, & SJW Hate Flick Fails. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/weekend-update-wu-gets-booted-by-gamerghazi-then-joins-the-spj-coffin-sees-the-light-712015/

Ralph, Ethan (July 10, 2015). Brianna Wu Spergs Out About Ted 2, Says You Can’t Support Trans And See It. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/brianna-wu-spergs-out-about-ted-2-says-you-cant-support-trans-and-see-it-7010015/

Ralph, Ethan (March 3, 2015). INTOLERANT: Anti’s Turn on Brianna Wu Over Brad Wardell Truce (UPDATE II: Wu Grovels More). The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/intolerant-antis-turn-on-brianna-wu-over-brad-wardell-truce-0303015

Ralph, Ethan (February 6, 2015). BTFO: Brianna Wu Gets Rekt By Based Steam Moderator. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/btfo-wu-gets-rekt-by-based-steam-moderator-20615/

Ralph, Ethan (January 24, 2015). Giant Spacekat’s Frank Wu Under Fire As Ex-Wife Details Domestic Violence (UPDATE: Frank Responds). The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/giant-spacekats-frank-wu-under-fire-as-ex-wife-details-domestic-violence-0124015/

Ralph, Ethan (December 17, 2014). FUCK CENSORSHIP REPRINT: Did Brianna Wu Ever Leave Her Home in Mid-October? (UPDATE: Censors Come After TheRalphRetort). The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/fuck-censorship-reprint-brianna-wu-ever-leave-home-mid-october/ alt url https://theralphretort.com/?p=3542

Ralph, Ethan (October 30, 2014). Brianna Wu Exposed By TheRalphRetort.com. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/brianna-wu-exposed-theralphretort-com/

Ralph, Ethan (October 30, 2014). Deceitful Brianna Wu is Also a Nutjob. The Ralph Retort http://theralphretort.com/deceitful-brianna-wu-is-also-a-nutjob/ https://archive.ph/RV30C