The aim of this paper is to introduce the phrase ‘digital banter’ to describe a highly localised typology of English-language speech that acts to veil xenophobia, misogyny, and other forms of extremism. Via an analysis of various videos on the sacking of British Foreign Secretary Suella Braverman, uploaded to the fringe social media platform Bitchute, this paper reveals certain aspects of the state of British politics and culture vis-à-vis platform norms and sociotechnical Internet subcultures. First, digital banter is a mode of anti-fandom that relies on a vocal dislike for non-white and non-male, seeking to dehumanise and delegitimise the identities and experiences of black and brown female politicians. While the principal point of attention for fan/anti-fan communities has historically been celebrities, politicians are increasingly becoming the focus of digital banter in Internet subcultures. Second, those profiting from political anti-fandom are called “banter merchants”, pointing towards mercantile imperatives that motivate social media creators to accrue influence through political anti-fandom. On Bitchute, serious political discussion is reduced to memetic ecologies of viral trends, rage, and shitposting, whilst signposting users toward a cascade of other platforms, paid subscriptions, and merchandise purchases. This research makes the case, however, that the extreme attitudes and behaviours witnessed on Bitchute are endlessly reproduced and reflected — albeit perhaps more softly and, therefore, more insidiously — throughout the British media ecosystem.

By Craig Ryder for First Monday on May 28, 2026