Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander reposted anti-Muslim videos to Instagram after U.S. midterms
Following the U.S. midterm elections, Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Anthony Santander shared a series of Islamophobic reels to his Instagram Stories, prompting the team to issue a statement Thursday distancing itself from the posts, CBC Toronto reported. Santander later deleted the content.
The reels, originally created by the American Truth Project and a Gospel of Jesus Christ minister, included one featuring newly elected Michigan Senator Abdul El-Sayed with the caption “America voted for Sharia last night,” and another stating “Islam is not peaceful,” according to CBC Toronto. El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, will become the first Muslim American U.S. senator, The Globe and Mail reported.
Blue Jays say posts do not represent team values
In a statement provided to CBC Toronto, CTV News and Yahoo Sports, a Blue Jays spokesperson said, “Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark. Individual comments do not represent our organization’s values and beliefs.”
The organization has not announced any disciplinary action. CBC Toronto has reached out to Santander and his agency for comment.
Muslim community and fans call for accountability
Members of Canada’s Muslim community condemned the posts. Ahmad Al Qadi, a senior advisor at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), told CBC Toronto the reels were “hurtful” for Muslim baseball fans and put them “in a position where they’re now questioning whether they have a place in the sport, whether they have a place in Canada.”
Blue Jays fan Hamzah Moin, who is Muslim, told CBC Toronto he was in “a state of disbelief” when he saw the reposts. Moin said he would like Santander to apologize and learn more about the community, and he hopes the team introduces inclusivity training.
The NCCM is urging Santander to apologize and meet with members of Canada’s Muslim community. Steven Zhou, an NCCM spokesperson, told Yahoo News Canada that “there has to be accountability” and that the organization wants an opportunity to speak with both Santander and the team about the impact of the posts.
Santander’s contract and injury status
Santander, 32, is a native of Margarita, Venezuela. He spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, including an All-Star year in 2024, before signing a five-year, US$92.5-million contract with Toronto ahead of the 2025 season, according to CTV News and Yahoo Sports.
His first season in Toronto saw him play 54 games, batting .175/.271/.294, Yahoo Sports reported; CBC Toronto reported he played 56 games during the 2025 World Series run. A lingering shoulder injury worsened during the 2025 postseason, leading to surgery on his left labrum, and he missed the entire 2026 season. He has three guaranteed seasons remaining on his contract, with a salary ranging from $15.5 million to $19.2 million with deferrals, plus a $15 million team option for 2030, Yahoo Sports reported.
Toronto’s Muslim population stands at 9.6 percent, according to 2021 Canadian census data cited by Yahoo Sports.
Anthony Bass precedent from 2023
This is not the first time the Blue Jays have faced controversy over a player’s social media activity. In May 2023, reliever Anthony Bass shared a video supporting boycotts of companies that backed the LGBTQ+ community, The Globe and Mail reported. Bass apologized and met with Pride Toronto representatives, but the Blue Jays designated him for assignment on June 9, 2023, less than two weeks after the post, and released him six days later. General manager Ross Atkins cited Bass’s performance as the main reason but acknowledged the controversy was a factor.
What happens next for Santander
Santander has not publicly addressed the criticism as of Friday, November, Yahoo News Canada reported. He is expected to be ready for spring training in 2027. The office for Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, declined to comment, CBC Toronto reported.
Clarifying public silence on posts
Has Anthony Santander apologized for the posts?
No. As of Friday, November, Santander had not publicly addressed the criticism, according to Yahoo News Canada. The NCCM is calling for accountability and wants to speak with Santander and the Blue Jays about the impact of the posts.
Why does this controversy matter specifically in Toronto?
Toronto has a 9.6 percent Muslim population according to 2021 Canadian census data.