Pete Evans has sensationally quit his 1.5 million follower strong Facebook page after facing mass backlash over a neo-Nazi meme scandal last week.
In the wake of being dropped by 19 companies in a matter of days, the disgraced chef bid farewell to the site on Friday – and instead directed fans to a page where he ‘would not be censored ever again’.
In a lengthy post, Pete, 47, wrote: ‘To all the amazing FB community we have built over the years… yes the 1.5 million of you.
So long! Pete Evans has sensationally quit his 1.5 million follower strong Facebook page, after facing mass backlash over a neo-Nazi meme scandal last week
‘For me it is time to say goodbye to this platform and thank you all for sharing your stories of beautiful health transformations and for giving me a bloody good laugh and cry along the way.’
He then turned fans’ attention to his Evolve Network website, which he said features weekly updates, meal plans, podcasts and a ‘whole lot more’.
‘Get your popcorn out as this is not the end, however, just a beautiful new transition into a space of love, education, knowledge and not being censored ever again,’ he continued.
Gone, but not for long: Pete then turned fans’ attention to his Evolve Network website, which he said features weekly updates, meal plans, podcasts and a ‘whole lot more’
Alongside a picture of a thumbs up sign which read ‘see ya’, Pete added: ‘You are all welcome to explore and connect.’
He also confirmed that he’s still set to open up his health retreat in February.
It’s the first time Pete has spoken on the platform seen since a string of companies dropped him from their ranks in just two days.
He’s off! Pete shared the farewell status alongside a peace symbol with the words ‘See Ya’ written below
Speaking up: The majority of these companies shared statements on Monday and Tuesday, after Pan Macmillan’s initial decision to cut ties led to a mass exodus. Pictured: a statement from Baccarat
Gone: House homewares shared the following statement to Instagram on Tuesday: ‘In our view, the images and views expressed by Mr Evans are reprehensible, unacceptable and offensive. HOUSE will immediately remove the Pete Evans branded products online and will be discontinuing the range in store’
The list includes his publisher Pan Macmillan, bookstore Dymocks, BIG W, Coles, kitchenware company Baccarat, Woolworths, House homewares, Target, Kmart, Booktopia and David Jones.
Also severing ties are Readings and Gleebooks bookstores and multi-level marketing business dōTERRA, while Natural Raw C coconut water revealed it had ended its agreement with Evans earlier this year.
The majority of these companies shared statements on Monday and Tuesday, after Pan Macmillan’s initial decision to cut ties led to a mass exodus.
Pete was set to join the cast of Channel Ten’s I’m a Celebrity – which began filming this week – but the network pulled the plug in response to his latest scandal.
The post was a cartoon of a caterpillar wearing a MAGA cap and a butterfly with the racist Black Sun emblem on its wing – with the suggestion being that neo-Nazism is the natural evolution for Donald Trump supporters.
Pete is an enthusiastic supporter of the president and advocates the baseless claim that Joe Biden only won the 2020 election due to voter fraud.
The Black Sun symbol became infamous after it was introduced by top-ranking Nazi Heinrich Himmler during World War II.
Shameful: Evans had sparked outrage on Sunday when he shared a neo-Nazi meme on Facebook. He posted this cartoon of a caterpillar wearing a MAGA cap and a butterfly with the racist Black Sun emblem on its wing – with the suggestion being that neo-Nazism is the natural evolution for Donald Trump supporters
What was he thinking? Evans seemingly confirmed he was aware of the meaning of the symbol when a fan stated they recognised it, and Pete replied: ‘I was waiting for someone to see that’
The symbol has since been adopted by numerous neo-Nazi groups, and by Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant.
Evans seemingly confirmed he was aware of the meaning of the symbol when a fan stated they recognised it, and Pete replied: ‘I was waiting for someone to see that.’
A month earlier, he’d encouraged another Facebook user to ‘have a look at the true history of Germany’.
Right-wing politics: Evans is an enthusiastic supporter of the president and advocates the baseless claim that Joe Biden only won the election due to voter fraud. Pictured in a MAGA hat
Evans later deleted the neo-Nazi meme on Monday afternoon and replaced it with an image of a rainbow heart alongside a sarcastic non-apology in which he claimed he would be ‘studying all of the symbols that have ever existed’ to make sure he doesn’t offend anyone again.
‘Sincere apologies to anyone who misinterpreted a previous post of a caterpillar and a butterfly having a chat over a drink and perceived that I was promoting hatred,’ he wrote.
‘I look forward to studying all of the symbols that have ever existed and research them thoroughly before posting. Hopefully this symbol [the love heart] resonates deeply into the hearts of ALL!’
Sorry, not sorry: He later deleted the post on Monday afternoon and replaced it with this image of a rainbow heart alongside a sarcastic non-apology in which he claimed he’d be ‘studying all of the symbols that have ever existed’ to make sure he doesn’t offend anyone again