WME’s Brandt Joel Under Fire for Controversial WhatsApp Message Amid Israeli Hostage Crisis

Brandt Joel, a senior agent at WME known for representing A-list talent such as Jason Momoa and Matthew McConaughey, is at the center of a growing controversy within the agency. The incident stems from a now-deleted text Joel sent in an unofficial WME WhatsApp group chat, reacting to the news of six Israeli hostages killed in Gaza.

The Israeli military reported that the hostages, including an Israeli-American, were killed by Hamas militants over the weekend. In response to the shared news, Joel reportedly texted, “Screw the left kill all,” sparking immediate backlash among colleagues. Although the message was quickly deleted, screenshots of the chat circulated widely.

According to sources, this isn’t the first time Joel has expressed divisive opinions in the group. He had previously criticized WME for being “weak” on clients speaking out about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, suggesting the agency had tolerated “abhorrent behavior” by not taking a firmer stand.

The escalating tension within Hollywood regarding the Gaza conflict has led to several high-profile incidents, including the dismissal of Maha Dakhil from her leadership roles at CAA after her controversial social media posts. Similarly, WME client Melissa Barrera faced repercussions after her comments on Gaza, though she ultimately retained agency support.

This incident with Joel further highlights the deepening divisions within the entertainment industry as it grapples with the fallout from the conflict.