Brandon Herrera

Last updated

Brandon Herrera
Brandon Herrera 2025.png
Herrera in 2025
Personal information
Born
Brandon Joseph Herrera

(1995-11-20) November 20, 1995 (age 29)
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
Education Campbell University (attended)
YouTube information
Channels
Also known asTheAKGuy
Years active2015–present
GenreFirearms/Weaponry
Subscribers4.05 million (main channel) [1]
Views734 million (main channel) [1]
Associated acts Donut Operator, Eli Doubletap, The Fat Electrician, Administrative Results, King Trout, Kentucky Ballistics
YouTube Silver Play Button 2.svg100,000 subscribers2019 [2]
YouTube Gold Play Button 2.svg1,000,000 subscribers2021 [3]

Last updated: August 22, 2025

Brandon Joseph Herrera (born November 20, 1995), also known as The AK Guy, is an American YouTuber and firearm manufacturer whose videos primarily focus on firearms. Herrera was a candidate in the race to represent Texas's 23rd congressional district in 2024, but lost by approximately 1 percentage point to incumbent Tony Gonzales in the Republican primary runoff. [4] On August 9, 2025, Herrera announced his decision to again run for the seat in an election that will be held in 2026. [5]

Contents

Early life

Brandon Joseph Herrera [6] [ better source needed ] was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to a family originating from Texas. [7] Both his parents are military veterans. Herrera attended Campbell University, where he studied pre-law, before dropping out to run his firearms manufacturing business. [8] He moved to San Antonio in early 2021. [3]

Career

YouTube

Started in 2014, Herrera's YouTube channel focuses on testing and reviewing firearms. [9] Subjects of his videos include tests of antique and military weapons, such as the AK-47 and RPG-7; discussions about gun laws and politics; and a series recreating the assassinations of public figures, including John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. [8] His videos often feature guests who have served in the military; Herrera himself is not a military veteran. [10]

In 2024, Herrera released a rifle he and his team engineered called the AK-50, an AK-47 pattern rifle chambered in 50 BMG in order to blend the durability and power of the two separately. [11] The gun was later added to the video game Escape from Tarkov. [12]

In the aftermath of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, an alleged manifesto by the perpetrator referenced Herrera, stating the two had met at SHOT Show. [13] Herrera harshly condemned the shooting and perpetrator, stating that he and his friends who attended SHOT show have "zero recollection of ever meeting this creep." In said video, he made a point of using male pronouns and refusing to state the shooter's name. [14] [15] [16] The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the organizers of SHOT show, released a statement in which they detailed there is no record or evidence the shooter ever attended any year of the event. [17]

Unsubscribe Podcast

On November 17, 2023, Herrera officially joined the Unsubscribe Podcast as a co-host. [18] The podcast features himself alongside fellow Youtubers Donut Operator, Eli Doubletap, and the Fat Electrician. [19] The podcast has raised thousands for different charities focusing on autism and veteran mental health. [20] [21] They also donated $10,000 to the Family Justice Center after an episode guest, Buffalo Police Department detective Richard Hy, accused Buffalo Public Schools of covering up abuse. [22] [23]

The podcast has since hosted an episode in The Pentagon and had prominent guests including army secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, Governor of Maryland Wes Moore, and Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha. [24] [25] [26]

A recurring joke among Herrera’s fanbase portrays him as a highly decorated war hero, despite Herrera never serving in the military. This satirical narrative is prominently featured in the Unsubscribe podcast’s Veterans Day episode, where his veteran co-hosts and guests humorously exaggerate his fictitious combat accolades. [27] The joke is further perpetuated through references to the parody website ForcedValor.com where his fictitious adventures are catalogued. [28]

Politics

On June 23, 2023, Herrera testified at a field hearing led by representative Matt Gaetz on the subject of alleged overreach by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. [29] [30] And on March 19, 2024, Herrera spoke outside of the Colorado State Capitol to around 400 people and later testified inside to the Colorado Legislature against a proposed assault weapons ban. [31] [32] [33]

On July 7, 2025, Herrera appeared on Fox News to discuss the impact and effects of the July 2025 Central Texas floods. [34]

Herrera has described himself as libertarian-leaning, often emphasizing gun rights and limited government, but has generally aligned himself with right-wing populists such as Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz. He also has appealed to anti-establishment voters in the primaries. [35] [8] Herrera is also a staunch supporter of US President Donald Trump, having worked on the 2016 Trump campaign, and has voted for Trump each year. [36] [37]

2024 congressional election

2024 GOP primary runoff results by county:
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Gonzales
50-60% Gonzales
60-70% Gonzales
Herrera
50-60% Herrera
60-70% Herrera
70-80% Herrera
80-90% Herrera 2024 Republican Primary Runoff in Texas' 23rd Congressional District.svg
2024 GOP primary runoff results by county:
  Gonzales
  •   50–60% Gonzales
  •   60–70% Gonzales
  Herrera
  •   50–60% Herrera
  •   60–70% Herrera
  •   70–80% Herrera
  •   80–90% Herrera

In August 2023, Herrera, a Republican, announced he would run for the U.S. House to represent Texas's 23rd congressional district in 2024, citing a frustration in incumbent Tony Gonzales' votes and gun policy. [38] In the primary, Herrera received 25 percent of the vote, while Gonzales received 45 percent; as no candidate received more than 50 percent, a runoff was held between the two, where Herrera lost by 354 votes. [10] [38] [39] Herrera called for a recount, saying, "I don’t expect the results to change, but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned." [40] [41]

Several political action committees from outside of Texas donated million of dollars to Gonzales' campaign against Herrera. AIPAC accused Herrera of having "glorified Nazis and mocked the Holocaust" in his YouTube videos. [42] [43] After the primary, U.S. Term Limits, a congressional term limits advocacy group, tapped Herrera to be their Texas chair. [44]

2026 congressional election

On August 9, 2025, Herrera announced a second campaign in the 2026 United States House of Representatives election. [45]

Electoral history

2024 United States House of Representatives election, District 23 (primary)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tony Gonzales (incumbent) 25,988 45.1
Republican Brandon Herrera 14,201 24.6
Republican Julie Clark7,99413.9
Republican Frank Lopez Jr.6,26610.9
Republican Victor Avila3,1815.5
Total votes57,630 100.0
2024 United States House of Representatives election, District 23 (primary runoff)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tony Gonzales (incumbent) 15,023 50.6
Republican Brandon Herrera14,66949.4
Total votes29,692 100.0

Criticism

Herrera's content often contains self-described dark and politically incorrect humor. [8] He co-hosts a podcast described by the Houston Chronicle as displaying "offensive commentary or repeats racist stereotypes", such as an episode where he joked he was essentially a military veteran because he "often [thought] about putting a gun in [his] mouth". [35] Tony Gonzales criticized Herrera, saying that there was a "special place in hell for scum and villainy who mock veteran suicide". [9] Herrera responded to the attacks, explaining both in the episode including the joke and later that he brought the joke up when describing how he didn't say it while speaking at a veteran suicide awareness panel. [46]

A handful of his YouTube videos have parodied Nazi imagery and included jokes about Nazis and the Holocaust. [47] He clarified in the video that he made “really fucked up jokes,” saying he did so to encourage his audience to learn from and not repeat history. He adds that he’s “not really a big fan of fascism.” [47] In one 2022 video, he sarcastically referred to the MP 40, a submachine gun developed by Nazi Germany, as the "original ghetto blaster". The video, which takes a sarcastic tone, includes a montage of Herrera and an associate firing the weapon, goose stepping to "Erika", [47] Herrera suggests in the video that he’s aware of the connotations of “Erika,”. Herrera says in the video: “If you’re one of the few people out there that realize, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the song we just used, and it’s just a bunch of soldiers singing about a pretty girl they miss at home". [47] Another video, covering historical weapons in the Rhodesian Bush War, featured the flag of Rhodesia, a symbol co-opted by white nationalists. [48] Herrera responded to criticism, saying, "This should be obvious, but I am not, nor have I ever been a neo-Nazi." [10]

Since at least 2013, Herrera has also been a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a neo-Confederate organization that promotes the Lost Cause and has ties to white supremacist groups. [47] [49] [50] He appeared in welcome videos produced by the organization, where he referred to the American Civil War varyingly as the "War of Northern Aggression" and the "War for Southern Independence", and advertised the group's "annual Yankee shoot", where members used antique rifles to shoot at "posters of [their] favorite Yankees". Brandon's support for the Sons of Confederate Veterans organization was stated in the videos citing the need to preserve history, "because those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." [47] [49]

References

  1. 1 2 "About Brandon Herrera". YouTube.
  2. Brandon Herrera (18 July 2019). I Finally Have It!. Brandon Herrera. Retrieved February 1, 2025 via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 Brandon Herrera (31 December 2021). 2021 Was A Year... Brandon Herrera. Retrieved February 1, 2025 via YouTube.
  4. "Texas 23rd Congressional District Primary Runoff Election Results". New York Times. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  5. Brandon Herrera (2025-08-09). I'm Running for Congress . Retrieved 2025-08-09 via YouTube.
  6. Brandon Herrera (2024-11-13). I Could Be The Next ATF Director? . Retrieved 2024-12-21 via YouTube.
  7. "Meet Brandon". Brandon Herrera for Congress. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Harris, Cayla (March 27, 2024). "San Antonio's 'AK Guy' is famous online. Can that take him to Congress over U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales?". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  9. 1 2 Choi, Matthew; Downey, Renzo (March 25, 2024). "Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera gains momentum in race against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  10. 1 2 3 Svitek, Patrick (May 2, 2024). "Texas runoff between Rep. Tony Gonzales and pro-gun YouTuber is key GOP test". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  11. Peterson, John (December 4, 2024). "Brandon Herrera's AK-50 Is Finally Complete, And It Was Well Worth the Wait". Survival World. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  12. Taylor-Hill, Grant (2025-07-08). "Insane Escape from Tarkov Weapon Teased for 'Hardcore Wipe'". Insider Gaming. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  13. Birenbaum, Gabby (2025-08-27). "Minneapolis gunman appears to promote "Brandon Herrera for president" in video posted before shooting". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  14. Brandon Herrera (2025-08-28). I Was Named in the Shooter’s Manifesto . Retrieved 2025-08-28 via YouTube.
  15. Bahari, Sarah (2025-08-28). "Minneapolis shooter praised Texas congressional candidate in now-deleted video". Dallas News. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  16. Wilburn, Caroline (August 27, 2025). "Suspected Minneapolis school shooter praised Texas congressional candidate in deleted video". Houston Chronicle.
  17. Deliso, Meredith (August 28, 2025). "Minneapolis shooting suspect appears to praise gun rights activist Brandon Herrera in video". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  18. UnsubscribePodcast (2023-11-17). THE RETURN Of Donut Operator! Meet the New Hosts! Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 132 . Retrieved 2025-06-15 via YouTube.
  19. "UnsubscribePodcast". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  20. UnsubscribePodcast (July 17, 2024). "As a community we raised $110,000 for Autism charities during the month of April. We are incredibly proud and thankful to be able to support these amazing charities. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for coming together and making this possible!". Twitter.
  21. UnsubscribePodcast (2024-11-02). This Operation Was Legitimately Insane ft. Griff - Veteran's Month | Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 185 . Retrieved 2025-08-29 via YouTube.
  22. https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/local/family-justice-center-gets-usd10k-donation-from-podcast
  23. https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/education/buffalo-school-board-update-podcast-abuse-claims/71-0f3f6818-dd6a-49ea-b702-41d956746e36
  24. UnsubscribePodcast (2025-03-01). What REALLY Happens At The Pentagon? Our TOP Secret Mission | Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 202 . Retrieved 2025-08-29 via YouTube.
  25. UnsubscribePodcast (2025-06-21). There's Soldiers On The Moon?? US Army 250th Birthday Celebration | Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 218 . Retrieved 2025-08-29 via YouTube.
  26. UnsubscribePodcast (2024-11-23). ATF Director, Medal Of Honor Recipient And Also Clint Romesha | Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 188 . Retrieved 2025-08-29 via YouTube.
  27. UnsubscribePodcast (2023-11-11). Stolen Valor, Purple Hearts & IEDs ft. Brandon, Crispy11B & Jack - Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 131 . Retrieved 2025-08-29 via YouTube.
  28. "Forced Valor". Forced Valor. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  29. "I Testified Against the ATF". YouTube . 27 June 2023.
  30. "***MEDIA ADVISORY*** MONDAY: Rep. Matt Gaetz Leads Republican Coalition on ATF Accountability Field Hearing in Northwest Florida - Former Rep. Matt Gaetz Official Press Release | LegiStorm".
  31. "Hundreds Protest, Testify Against So-Called 'Assault Weapons Ban' in Colorado".
  32. "I Testified Against the Assault Weapons Ban". YouTube . 21 March 2024.
  33. "Bulletin: The Failure of Colorado's Assault Weapon Ban and the Rise of the AR-15".
  34. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6375314176112
  35. 1 2 Harris, Cayla (March 27, 2024). "Who is Brandon Herrera? What to know about the 'AK Guy' and YouTube star running for Congress". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  36. "Issues". Brandon Herrera for Congress. Brandon Herrera Victory Committee. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  37. "@TheAKGuy (Brandon Herrera) "I volunteered with Trump's campaign all the way back to 2016, and have voted for him in every election he's ever been in."". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  38. 1 2 Spriester, Steve; Barraza, Adam (23 May 2024). "Tony Gonzales declares victory with 400 votes more than Brandon Herrera in GOP runoff for US Representative District 23". KSAT.
  39. Choi, Matthew (2024-05-29). "U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales prevails in primary runoff over gun influencer Brandon Herrera". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  40. Downey, Renzo (2024-06-06). "Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  41. Harris, Cayla (2024-06-07). "'AK Guy' wants a recount in loss to U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  42. Rod, Marc (May 15, 2024). "AIPAC launches ad blitz against Brandon Herrera, challenger to Rep. Tony Gonzales". Jewish Insider.
  43. Choi, Matthew (April 16, 2024). "U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales vastly outraises challenger Brandon Herrera ahead of heated congressional runoff". The Texas Tribune.
  44. Velasco, Donna (July 25, 2024). "Brandon Herrera Tapped As Texas State Chair For U.S. Term Limits".
  45. Brandon Herrera (2025-08-09). I'm Running for Congress . Retrieved 2025-08-09 via YouTube.
  46. "Gen Z Vs Boomers ft. Turkey Tom & Brandon Buckingham - Unsubscribe Podcast Ep 147". YouTube . 25 February 2024.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rod, Marc (April 1, 2024). "Rep. Gonzales' right-wing GOP challenger posted videos featuring Nazi imagery, songs, jokes". Jewish Insider. Archived from the original on April 1, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  48. Jacobs, Ben (May 9, 2024). "Uvalde's Next Congressman Might Be a Gunfluencer". New York . Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  49. 1 2 Harris, Cayla (April 2, 2024). "Texas congressional candidate Brandon Herrera posted video with Nazi imagery, jokes". Houston Chronicle . Archived from the original on 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  50. Beirich, Heidi (2009). "The Struggle for the Sons of Confederate Veterans: A Return to White Supremacy in the Early Twenty-First Century?". In Hague, Euan; Beirich, Heidi; Sebesta, Edward H. (eds.). Neo-Confederacy: A Critical Introduction. University of Texas Press. ISBN   978-0-292-77921-1.