Overview

The Recast Eggman Campaign and Mike Pollock Zionism and Slur Encouragement Controversy, also known by the hashtag #RecastEggman, refers to online backlash and calls to recast voice actor Mike Pollock, known as the voice of the character Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik in numerous Sonic the Hedgehog games and shows, after some claimed he showed support for Zionist ideas (namely freeing Israeli hostages) and seemed to encourage people to call Twitter / X user @DewEnjoyer (also known as Juno) slurs in a now-deleted tweet he said was sarcasm. Pollock first became the subject of criticism for perceivably supporting Zionism in 2024. The slur incident began in February 2025, when Juno called Pollock out for allegedly being a Zionist and supporting Israel in relation to the Hamas-Israel conflict. Pollock's post brought attention to the hashtag "#RecastEggman" as people called for the character to be recast in future Sonic media. Pollock responded to numerous X users criticizing him, writing that his original post was intended to be sarcastic and defending his stance in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict, writing that he "embraces" Zionism in its "classic definition of support for Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland."

Background

2024 Zionism Controversy

Voice actor Mike Pollock has voiced Eggman in numerous pieces of Sonic the Hedgehog media since 2003, including Sonic X, Sonic '06, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Boom and many other examples.^[1] Since around May 2024, Pollock has occasionally been met with backlash and criticism online over his support for Israel and perceived Zionism in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The hashtag "#recasteggman" has been used on X to voice support for firing Pollock and recasting Eggman.^[2]

The backlash against Pollock became widespread on May 3rd, 2024, when he shared an archived music video on X^[10] showing support for freeing the Israeli hostages, writing, "A moving tribute to the Israeli hostages, by my pal Heshy Walfish. Until we can peacefully coexist, music is the universal language."

Numerous commenters accused him of being a Zionist and supporting the genocide of Palestinians. Pollock jokingly responded to many of the commenters, repeatedly commenting that he was "circumcised" when people asked if he was hacked.

This led to Pollock voicing his opinions in a Twitter Space where he shared the opinion that he'd like the Israeli hostages freed, that he doesn't want either side to have hostages and wants peace, further clarifying his stance and discussing why he decided to become more vocal about his support for Israel.

YouTuber^[3] The Sonic Show posted a video on the controversy, covering the full Twitter Space, on May 4th, 2024, garnering over 67,000 views in nine months.

Pollock continued to defend his stances on Israel in the following months. For example, on July 11th, 2024, he had an interaction on X^[13] in which he implied that the term "Zionist" can be used as an antisemitic slur and alluding to Hamas propaganda.

That same day, an X^[14] user directly asked Pollock if he supports genocide, to which he answered, "no, I don't support genocide, nor any government's actions, but my support for the Israeli hostages and ALL innocent victims, including Palestinians, remains."

2025 Slur Encouragement Controversy

On February 12th, 2025, X^[4] user @DewEnjoyer quote-reposted a clip of a YouTuber criticizing Mike Pollock for several controversial tweets, writing, "I'm lowkey excited for when we get a new Eggman recast, the current voice is such a zionist asshole and it sucks so much – who do you guys think could best replace him?" garnering over 17,000 likes in two days.

Later that day, @DewEnjoyed posted a screenshot to X^[5] sharing a screenshot of a DM they received from another user calling them a "retarded watermelon sucking whore," writing, "Hey @itsamike can you tell your weirdo fanbase to not call me slurs in DMs, cheers mate," garnering over 3,100 likes in two days.

Shortly after the post was made, Pollock commented and deleted, "Hey weirdo fanbase, don't call Juno slurs in DMs! Do it publicly, I guess." After it was deleted, @DewEnjoyed posted the comment on X^[6] that day, writing, "The official voice actor for Dr Eggman (Mike Pollock) has encouraged his fanbase to publicly call me slurs in a now deleted tweet, please spread this tweet around do not let him get away with this," garnering over 35,000 likes in two days.

Pollock posted a new comment under @DewEnjoyer's post on X^[7] following the original's deletion, writing, "Hey weirdo fanbase, don't call Juno slurs." Juno responded, "Go fuck yourself Mike."

Developments

Pollock began defending his opinions to X users as backlash against him increased in mid-February 2025.

On February 13th, 2025, The Gamer^[8] reported on the story. That day, Pollock responded to a post on X^[9] sharing the story from The Gamer clarifying his opinions regarding Zionism. Pollock notably stated that the deleted tweet was "poorly worded" and "intended as sarcasm" rather than genuine encouragement for his fans to send @DewEnjoyer slurs.

Online Reactions

The February 2025 controversy over the tweet to Juno elevated the hashtag "#recasteggman" and resulted in increased calls to recast the character from some of the Sonic fandom. It also inspired a defense of Pollock from some supporters.

On February 13th, 2025, X^[11] user @TheCartoonLoon posted a defense for Pollock, sharing tweets from Pollock supporting peace on both sides, writing, "Guy literally keeps saying he doesn't want anyone to die and wants a peaceful outcome," garnering around 35 likes in a day.

Later that day, X^[12] user @ASleepyEgg, an account that roleplays as Eggman, made a post denouncing Pollock and supporting the recast Eggman movement, garnering over 17,000 likes in a day.

Search Interest

External References