Here’s an unfiltered, fact-based narrative about Andrew Torba, focusing on his history, associations, claims of Christianity, controversies, and current work with Gab:
On his platform, Gab, Andrew Torba has 4.2 million followers.
A 2019 report from The Intercept claimed that out of over 4 million registered accounts, only about 100,000 were actively posting content regularly.
History and Background:
Early Life and Career: Andrew Torba, born in 1991 in Pennsylvania, studied Information Systems at the University of Scranton. He worked briefly in Silicon Valley before returning to Pennsylvania to start Gab in 2016.
Founding of Gab: Gab AI, Inc. was incorporated on September 9, 2016, with Torba serving as CEO. Gab was launched as an alternative social media platform that emphasized free speech, targeting users who felt censored by mainstream platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
Associations:
Political and Ideological: Torba has aligned himself with several far-right and conservative movements. He has been associated with figures like Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist and Christian nationalist. Torba has also interacted with and promoted individuals like Alex Jones and Stew Peters, known for spreading conspiracy theories.
Christian Nationalism: Torba identifies as a Christian Nationalist, advocating for a society governed by Christian principles. He has been a speaker at events like the America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC), hosted by Fuentes, where he has promoted these views.
Claims of Christianity:
**Torba describes himself as a “conservative Republican Christian:” He uses his platform to promote a form of Christianity that emphasizes nationalism and dominionism. His rhetoric often frames the U.S. as a Christian nation and calls for a “parallel Christian society” or economy, advocating for Christians to disengage from mainstream systems perceived as corrupt or secular.
**He has published a book titled “Christian Nationalism: A Biblical Guide For Taking Dominion And Discipling Nations” with Andrew Isker, further detailing his vision for a Christian society.
Controversies:
Antisemitism and Hate Speech: Gab has been widely criticized for being a haven for hate speech, including antisemitic content. Torba himself has been accused of antisemitism, notably for promoting the “Great Replacement” theory and making derogatory comments about Jewish people. Gab’s association with the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, where the shooter was an active Gab user, drew significant negative attention.
Platform Moderation: Gab’s minimal content moderation has been contentious, leading to bans by multiple service providers, like PayPal and app stores, due to the presence of hate speech and extremist content. Critics argue that Torba’s interpretation of free speech allows for the spread of harmful ideologies.
Election and Health Misinformation: Torba has spread information about the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, claiming it was “rigged and stolen.” He has also promoted anti-vaccine sentiments, particularly around the COVID-19 vaccines, offering religious exemption documents on Gab.
Silicon Valley experience and current Work on Gab:
Andrew Torba’s journey in the tech industry began after he graduated from the University of Scranton with a degree in Information Systems. His early career was marked by a stint in Silicon Valley, where he worked for a few years, honing his skills in digital marketing, online advertising, and social media strategy. This period was crucial for Torba, providing him with insights into how large tech companies operate, their business models, and the potential for disruption in the social media space.
Entrepreneurial Ventures:
Automate Ads: Before Gab, Torba worked at an advertising technology company called Automate Ads (formerly known as Kuhcoon), where he collaborated with Ekrem Büyükkaya, who would later become Gab’s CTO. This experience was pivotal in understanding the technical and business aspects of online platforms.
Techli: He also served as an editor at Techli, a tech news site, where he was involved in content creation and management. This role likely expanded his network within the tech community and gave him a platform to voice opinions on tech trends and policies.
Founding Gab:
Vision for Free Speech: Frustrated with what he perceived as excessive censorship on mainstream platforms, Torba founded Gab in 2016. His vision was to create a social network that would not only be a tech venture but also a statement against what he saw as the monopolistic and biased practices of larger social media companies.
Launch and Early Days: Gab was launched in private beta in August 2016, and it quickly gained traction among those who felt marginalized by platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Torba’s role at this stage was multifaceted, serving as CEO, but also deeply involved in product development, marketing, and community engagement.
Building Gab’s Ecosystem:
Expansion into New Services: Under Torba’s leadership, Gab expanded from a simple microblogging platform to include features like Gab TV (a video streaming service), GabPay (a payment system), and other ventures aimed at creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for conservatives and free speech advocates.
Technical Challenges: Torba has had to navigate numerous technical challenges, including issues with hosting services, app store bans, and payment processing, which required him to oversee or directly involve himself in solutions like developing Gab’s own infrastructure or payment systems.
Here’s an overview of how Andrew Torba has financed Gab and its current financial condition:
Financing Gab:
Initial Funding: Gab started with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter but was later removed for violating their terms of use. Torba then moved to StartEngine, raising over $1 million through equity crowdfunding from investors who believed in the platform’s mission of free speech.
Ongoing Crowdfunding: Gab has continued to use crowdfunding platforms like Gab’s own version, GabPay Backers, for various projects and to maintain operations. Torba has encouraged supporters to invest in Gab as a way to directly fund the platform’s development and expansion.
Donations and User Contributions:
GabPro: Gab offers a premium subscription service called GabPro, where users pay for additional features. This has been a significant source of revenue, providing a steady income stream from its user base.
Donations: The platform has also relied on direct donations from users, often highlighted during times when Gab faced financial difficulties or was cut off from conventional payment systems.
Merchandising:
Gab sells branded merchandise like clothing and accessories, which serves both as a revenue source and a way to promote the brand among its supporters.
Advertising and Affiliate Programs:
Although Gab has had a tumultuous relationship with advertising (due to its controversial content), it has attempted to generate income through advertisements from like-minded businesses or through affiliate marketing.
Payment Processing Solutions:
GabPay: After being cut off from services like PayPal and Stripe, Gab developed its own payment processing system, GabPay, allowing users to transact within the Gab ecosystem, thereby keeping more financial control and potentially boosting revenue.
Current Financial Condition:
Financial Struggles: Gab has faced significant financial challenges due to deplatforming by various service providers, which has led to periods of instability. The loss of access to mainstream payment processors and app stores has meant that Gab often operates with limited cash flow, relying heavily on its community for financial support.
Operating Costs: The costs of running Gab include server maintenance, legal fees (due to numerous lawsuits and battles with service providers), and development for new features or platforms like Gab TV and GabPay. These expenses can be substantial, especially without traditional revenue streams like widespread advertising.
Growth and Stability: While exact financial figures are not publicly detailed, Torba has claimed that Gab is profitable or at least moving towards stability, largely due to its subscription model and direct user support. However, the platform’s growth has been inconsistent, with some reports indicating a decline in active users, which could impact its long-term financial health.
Investment and Expansion: Torba has been vocal about Gab’s need for investment to expand its services and infrastructure, suggesting that while there might be enough to maintain operations, scaling up requires further capital.
Dependence on User Base: Gab’s financial condition is heavily dependent on its user base’s loyalty. The platform’s niche market—those who feel marginalized by mainstream social media—must continue to support Gab financially for it to remain viable.
Current Role and Focus:
Leadership and Vision: Today, Torba continues to lead Gab, focusing on growing its user base, expanding its services, and solidifying its position as a platform for free speech and Christian nationalist values. His work now includes strategic planning, public speaking, content creation, and maintaining a dialogue with his community to shape Gab’s direction.
Advocacy and Writing: Alongside running Gab, Torba has engaged in writing, notably the book “Christian Nationalism,” which reflects his broader mission to intertwine his business ventures with his ideological beliefs.
Community Building: A significant part of Torba’s current work experience involves fostering a community around Gab, not just as users but as part of a broader movement against what he sees as cultural and political censorship.
In summary, Gab’s financial model is community-driven, relying on crowdfunding, user subscriptions, and direct donations. While this approach has kept the platform afloat, it also means Gab operates with less financial security than platforms with broader mainstream appeal and advertising revenue. The exact financial health of Gab is hard to gauge without public financial statements, but it appears to be in a state of cautious sustainability, with ongoing challenges to its financial stability.
Andrew Torba’s support within the Orthodox Christian community is nuanced and not uniformly significant. Here’s a breakdown based on available information:
Public Endorsements and Engagement:
Brother Augustine’s Review: In a review by Brother Augustine (Michael Witcoff), an Orthodox Christian podcaster, of Torba’s book “Christian Nationalism,” he acknowledges some alignment with Torba’s views but also highlights significant theological and ecclesiastical differences between Protestantism and Orthodoxy. While Augustine respects Torba’s courage and the effort to write the book, he points out areas where Orthodox Christianity would diverge from Torba’s ideologies, particularly in ecclesiology, sacraments, ecumenism, and theology.
Discussions and Opinions:
Reddit Discussions: On platforms like Reddit, some Orthodox Christians have expressed mixed feelings about Torba. In threads where his philosophy and work are discussed, there’s acknowledgment of his faith and Christian focus, but there’s also skepticism or outright opposition to his political and ideological stances. Some see his views as too closely aligned with Protestant nationalism, which doesn’t sit well with Orthodox ecclesiology that emphasizes the universality of the Church over nationalistic interpretations.
General Community Sentiment:
Diverse Views: The Orthodox Christian community is not monolithic and includes a wide range of political views and theological interpretations. While some might resonate with Torba’s advocacy for Christian values in public life, many Orthodox Christians are cautious or critical of his association with far-right politics, his promotion of conspiracy theories, and his approach to Christianity which can seem more aligned with Protestant evangelicalism than traditional Orthodoxy.
Specific Concerns:
Theological Differences: The Orthodox Church tends to emphasize the unity of the Church across nations, rather than nationalistic Christian movements. Torba’s push for Christian nationalism, which often includes an ethnocentric component, can be at odds with the Orthodox emphasis on the Church transcending national boundaries.
Controversial Associations: His association with figures known for white supremacist or antisemitic views might further alienate him from parts of the Orthodox community that value social justice, peace, and interfaith dialogue.
Support from Individuals or Groups:
While there might be individual Orthodox Christians or small groups who support Torba due to his Christian rhetoric or his stance against what they perceive as secularism in tech, there isn’t widespread, organized support from Orthodox Church bodies or official endorsements from significant Orthodox leaders. His support among Orthodox Christians, where it exists, seems to be more at the grassroots level rather than from established church hierarchies or official Orthodox organizations.
In conclusion, while Andrew Torba might have some support from individuals within the Orthodox Christian community who share his views on Christianity in public life, his broader support is limited due to theological, ideological, and associational differences. His work and public persona are more closely aligned with certain strands of American Protestant conservatism than with the diverse and often more traditionalist Orthodox Christian community.
Several well-known Christian pastors and figures have expressed opinions about Andrew Torba:
These concerns focus particularly on his advocacy for Christian nationalism, his platform Gab, and his controversial statements. Here are some notable ones based on public statements and writings:
Doug Wilson:
Supportive: Doug Wilson, a pastor from Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, and a prominent figure in Reformed theology, has endorsed Torba’s book “Christian Nationalism.” Wilson is known for his own provocative views on Christian nationalism, and his endorsement signifies a level of support for Torba’s ideas, although Wilson has offered a nuanced perspective on what Christian nationalism should entail, distinguishing it from what he terms as “Americanism.”
Toby J. Sumpter:
Critical Engagement: Toby J. Sumpter, also from Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, has engaged critically with Torba’s ideas. In his blog post titled “Andrew Torba, Christian Nationalism, and Me,” Sumpter discusses a disagreement with Torba over a statement regarding ethnic groups, labeling Torba’s view as “half-baked primitivism” and critiquing it for misunderstanding Christian cultural mandates. While not outright condemning Torba, Sumpter offers a critique aimed at refining the discussion around Christian nationalism.
Jackson Lahmeyer:
Supportive Rhetoric: Jackson Lahmeyer, a MAGA pastor, has been quoted in contexts associating with Torba’s views. Lahmeyer has used rhetoric that aligns with Torba’s, likening political figures to biblical characters in a manner consistent with Christian nationalist narratives.
Rod Dreher:
Critical: While not a pastor, Rod Dreher, an influential Christian writer known for his book “The Benedict Option,” has commented on the dangers of Christian nationalism, indirectly critiquing figures like Torba. Dreher has expressed concern over the conflation of Christian faith with a particular national or ethnic identity, which is central to Torba’s rhetoric.
John Piper and Al Mohler:
These well-known evangelical leaders have not publicly commented on Torba specifically but have spoken broadly against forms of Christian nationalism that align with Torba’s views. Piper, for instance, has warned against the dangers of confusing the gospel with national identity, while Mohler has criticized movements that might promote racial or nationalist ideologies over the universal call of the gospel.
Anonymous and Lesser-known Pastors:
There are numerous pastors and Christian leaders, often less known nationally, who have commented on Gab or Torba through blog posts, sermons, or social media. These range from outright condemnation of Gab as a platform for hate speech to cautious endorsements or defenses of free speech principles, with some critiquing Torba’s methods or associations while still appreciating the intent to protect Christian discourse online.
It’s worth noting that the spectrum of Christian thought is vast, and reactions to Torba range from support to severe criticism. His association with controversial political views, especially those perceived as antisemitic or promoting white nationalism, has led to a divide even among those who might otherwise support a Christian presence in public life or the defense of free speech. These pastors’ opinions reflect a broader conversation within Christianity about how faith intersects with nationalism, politics, and social media.
Here’s a narrative detailing some of Andrew Torba’s most controversial statements that have stirred public discourse:
Antisemitic Rhetoric:
On Jewish Influence: One of Torba’s most contentious statements came in July 2022 when he posted on Gab that the U.S. should no longer be “told what we’re allowed to do in our own country by a 2% minority,” referring to Jewish people. This statement was widely criticized for promoting antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish control over American policy and culture.
Christian Nationalism and Jews: In his book “Christian Nationalism,” Torba wrote about the need for Christians to “take dominion” over society, which he framed in opposition to what he called “pagan, Jewish, and non-believing” influences. Critics argued this rhetoric not only marginalized Jewish people but also echoed historical antisemitic tropes.
Promotion of the “Great Replacement” Theory:
Demographic Replacement: In 2021, Torba voiced support for Tucker Carlson’s promotion of the “Great Replacement” theory, a conspiracy theory suggesting that there’s a deliberate effort to replace white populations with non-white immigrants. Torba claimed this was “absolutely and unequivocally going on in The West,” labeling such statements as “objective facts” rather than “hateful” rhetoric.
Attacks on Political Rivals and Institutions:
RINOs and Trump: In June 2021, Torba accused Donald Trump of endorsing “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) for financial kickbacks, suggesting that Trump’s endorsements were not about political ideology but personal gain. This statement was particularly inflammatory given Trump’s standing among conservative voters.
Against Mainstream Media and Tech: Torba has made numerous statements attacking mainstream media, tech companies, and institutions like the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), often accusing them of being part of a broader conspiracy to censor conservative voices or promote a “liberal/globalist/talmudic/satanic worldview.”
On Immigration and Race:
Anti-Illegal Immigrant Stance: Torba has repeatedly posted against what he calls “illegal immigrants,” often framing immigration in terms that align with white nationalist rhetoric, claiming it’s about preserving the “white race” rather than advocating for white supremacy. However, this distinction is often blurred by his choice of words and the company he keeps on his platform.
Ethnic Identity: In a post in 2025 on X, Torba argued for the preservation of the white race, stating, “The ultimate goal of our enemies is the destruction of our nations and the replacement of our people with those who are more easily controlled and manipulated.” This was seen by many as promoting racial paranoia and division.
Support for Extremist Views:
QAnon and Capitol Attack: Torba openly welcomed QAnon accounts to Gab after they were banned by other platforms, claiming it was a matter of free speech. Following the January 6th Capitol attack, he was accused of facilitating the radicalization of individuals involved due to Gab’s lax content moderation policies. Torba denied responsibility but did not distance himself from the rhetoric that some of his users propagated.
Religious and Cultural Statements:
Christian Dominionism: Torba has been vocal about his belief that Christians should govern “with an iron fist” in red states, urging legislators to “make it unbearable for liberals to live there.” He has suggested passing legislation that reflects Christian values, promoting what critics see as a theocratic approach to governance.
Cultural War: He’s used his platform to call for a “Christian movement” against what he perceives as a “Judeo-Bolshevik” society, reviving old antisemitic slurs in modern discourse.
These statements have painted Andrew Torba as a polarizing figure, linking him to various controversies around hate speech, the promotion of conspiracy theories, and the advocacy for a form of Christian nationalism that many see as exclusionary or even dangerous. Each statement has contributed to a narrative where Torba is seen by critics not just as an advocate for free speech but as someone who enables or directly promotes extremist ideologies.
Andrew Torba frequently identifies himself as a born-again Christian:
He emphasizes his faith as a core aspect of his identity and mission. Here’s an overview of his personal claims regarding his faith and church association:
Claims of Being a Born-Again Believer:
Conversion Story: Torba has claimed that he rediscovered his faith in Christianity after the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. He described this event as a wake-up call, leading to a deeper commitment to his Christian faith. He has shared that the negative attention and personal attacks following the shooting made him turn back to God, not out of guilt or responsibility for the shooting, but because he felt personally and professionally destroyed.
Public Statements: On various platforms, including Gab, Torba has stated his belief in Jesus Christ, often using phrases like “Christ is King” and advocating for a Christian nationalist vision where Christianity plays a central role in governance and culture. He has emphasized personal repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, which aligns with the born-again Christian experience.
Christian Mission: Torba sees his work with Gab as part of his Christian mission, claiming that God moved him to build Gab as a “digital Noah’s Ark” to preserve conservative Christian voices online. He positions his platform as a tool for spreading the Gospel and defending Christian values in the digital age.
Church Association:
No Clear Institutional Affiliation: Unlike many public figures who can be directly associated with a specific church or denomination, Torba doesn’t appear to be formally affiliated with a particular church in a public capacity. His work and public statements suggest a more independent or non-denominational Christian identity aligned with evangelical or fundamentalist Protestantism rather than any specific church.
Promotion of Independent Churches: While not directly stating membership in any church, Torba has promoted the idea of Christians forming or joining independent churches or home churches that align with his vision of Christian nationalism. He has encouraged Christians to “build their own” institutions, including churches, to avoid what he sees as corruption or secular influence in established religious organizations.
Associated with Christian Nationalist Leaders: Although not tied to a specific church, Torba has associated himself with figures like Andrew Isker, co-author of “Christian Nationalism,” who is a pastor at 4th Street Evangelical Church in Waseca, MN. However, this association seems more about shared ideology than church membership.
Gab as a Community: In a way, Gab itself under Torba’s vision has become a sort of virtual church community where Christian nationalist ideas are discussed, promoted, and enacted. He’s created spaces within Gab for Christian content, worship, and discussion, suggesting that his community-building efforts on Gab are an extension of his faith.
In summary, while Andrew Torba vocally claims his identity as a born-again Christian and uses his platform to promote Christian nationalist ideals, he does not have a publicly known formal association with any specific church. His approach to Christianity seems more aligned with a personal, ideological commitment rather than institutional church membership.
Andrew Torba loves to pontificate on the moral failings and theological compromises of modern churches, positioning himself as some kind of guardian of true Christianity. But the kicker is he doesn’t seem to actually attend a church himself. This glaring absence from any congregation, community, or ecclesiastical oversight speaks volumes about his credibility. How can you claim to lead or reform Christianity when you aren’t even part of its living community? This hypocrisy not only undermines his personal Christian testimony but also exposes the hollow nature of his critique—criticizing from the sidelines without the humility or accountability that comes from being part of a church body. It’s easy to throw stones at the glass houses of others when you’re not living in one yourself.
Andrew Torba’s lack of formal association with a specific church or denomination provides him with a shield from personal accountability in several ways. Without the structure and oversight of a church community, there’s no ecclesiastical body to challenge or moderate his views, potentially allowing his more controversial statements to go unchecked. This independence means he can freely align his Christian identity with political ideologies without the need for theological or doctrinal accountability. However, this absence of communal spiritual guidance might be detrimental to his spiritual growth. Church communities often serve as places for personal reflection, correction, and growth through fellowship, scripture study, and pastoral guidance. Without these elements, Torba might miss out on opportunities for spiritual correction, deepening of faith, or reconciliation with differing Christian perspectives, which could lead to a more isolated and potentially radicalized interpretation of Christianity.
Corporate address of Gab AI Inc © 2024
700 N State Street Clarks Summit, PA 18411, USA:
This is the actual photo of the “limited staff” housed at this location.
Gab 2024 Annual Report.
Gab lists their alternate address on their Copyright Policy page as:
1143 Northern Blvd #158
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
This location is the UPS Store at Clarks Summit where they have mailbox services.
Officers and Directors named in the stock offering document:
Andrew Torba, CEO
Ekrem Büyükkaya, CTO, Engineer
Wikipedia lists Utsav Sanduja, who later joined Gab as chief operating officer (COO).
Ekrem Büyükkaya is no longer employed at Gab. He announced his resignation as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Gab in October 2018, citing “attacks from the American press” that had taken a personal toll on him. His departure was noted in various media reports following the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, where the shooter was an active user of Gab.
Utsav Sanduja is no longer employed at Gab. He left the company in June 2018. His departure was mutual, as he mentioned having differences in opinion with the company’s direction. After leaving Gab, Sanduja launched his own news channel called “Sanduja Media,” which later became “War and News.”
Here are some other known employees of Gab along with their titles based on available information:
• Emeka Orji – AI Integration Engineer (mentioned in X posts).
• Joseph Dara – Blockchain Engineer (also mentioned in X posts).
• Koladele Olaitan – Software Engineer II (from X posts).
• Matthew A. Peterson – Previously served as Gab’s Chief Media Officer. His role involved handling media relations and content strategy for the platform. He left the company in 2019 to join American Tower Corporation as Vice President of Communications and Employee Development, according to his LinkedIn profile and other web sources.
Gab’s “Technology Team,” based on the available information:
Team Size: Gab’s technology team appears to be small. Publicly available data from LinkedIn and X posts indicate that Gab’s team size for technology, including AI, is relatively modest. They’ve been described as having a “7-man team” for infrastructure management, which suggests a lean operation.
AI Focus: Gab has expressed intentions to engage deeply with AI, particularly with the aim of developing an “uncensored AI platform.” Andrew Torba has highlighted this focus in posts on X, indicating an interest in using open-source models to compete in the AI space. However, the actual implementation and scale of their AI development efforts aren’t well-documented, making it challenging to assess their capability comprehensively.
Competition in AI:
The AI industry is rapidly expanding with significant investments from tech giants like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and startups like OpenAI. These companies have vast resources, large teams dedicated to AI research and development, and access to extensive data sets for training AI models.
Gab’s small team size, as inferred from public statements and employee mentions, puts it at a considerable disadvantage in terms of manpower, computational resources, and the breadth of expertise needed to compete head-to-head with these industry leaders in AI innovation.
Strategic Approaches:
Open Source Leverage: Gab’s strategy seems to involve leveraging open-source AI models, which could allow them to compete by focusing on customization for their specific user base rather than building everything from scratch. This approach could reduce the need for a large staff but still requires significant technical know-how to adapt and integrate effectively.
Niche Market Focus: Gab might not aim to compete on the same scale as the big players but rather to cater to a niche market that values uncensored AI applications. This could mean their competition is more against specialized AI services rather than the industry at large.
Current Challenges:
Gab has faced numerous operational challenges, including issues with scaling due to limited resources and infrastructure. Their focus on AI while managing these constraints might stretch their capabilities thin.
Without significant new funding or partnerships, scaling up their AI initiatives to match the pace of industry leaders seems unlikely.
Conclusion:
When comparing Andrew Torba’s Gab AI and social media platform to the vast and resource-rich global artificial intelligence ecosystem, it becomes evident that Gab is operating on a shoestring. Gab has been characterized by limited financial resources, with reports indicating significant operational costs and a reliance on crowdfunding, user donations, and subscription models to keep the platform afloat. In contrast to tech giants with billions invested in AI research, development, and infrastructure, Gab’s AI efforts are notably smaller in scale, often utilizing open-source models due to budget constraints rather than developing proprietary systems from scratch.
The platform’s history of being cut off from mainstream payment processors and hosting services has further strained its financial stability, leading to a scenario where innovation and expansion are severely limited by funding. This financial and technical austerity places Gab in a position where it can only compete in niche markets or through ideological alignment rather than on the technological or market scale of larger players in the AI and social media landscape.