Destiny
Bonnell's logo wordmark
Bonnell in 2022
Personal information
Born
Steven Kenneth Bonnell II

(1988-12-12) December 12, 1988[1]
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Occupations
  • Political and social commenator
  • Streamer
Spouse
Melina Göransson
​
​
(m. 2021; sep. 2023)​
Children1
Websitewww.destiny.gg
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2013–present
Genres
Subscribers748,000
Total views505,000,000
Associated acts
100,000 subscribers2018
Twitch information
Channel
Years active2011–2022
GenrePolitics/Gaming
Followers699,700 (before his indefinite suspension)
Last updated: 1 January 2024

Steven Kenneth Bonnell II (born December 12, 1988), known online as Destiny, is an American live-streamer and political commentator. He was among the first people to stream video games online full-time and received attention as a pioneer of the industry.[4] Since 2016, he has garnered further attention for streaming political debates with other online personalities, in which he advocates for progressivism and liberal politics.[5][6]

Early life

Steven Kenneth Bonnell II was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to a Cuban-American mother and a White American father.[5] He was raised in a conservative Catholic home,[5] and he attended Creighton Preparatory School, a private Jesuit high school for boys.[6] When he was a pre-teen, his mother's home day care business collapsed, and his family's home was foreclosed.[6] A few years later his parents moved to take care of an aging relative, after which he lived with his grandmother until he was 18.[5]

In 2007, Bonnell enrolled at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, where he studied music while working night shifts as a restaurant manager at a casino. Ultimately unable to juggle both his education and full-time work, Bonnell dropped out of college in 2010. Soon after, he was fired from his restaurant position, and found work as a carpet cleaner.[5][6]

Career

In 2011, Bonnell quit his job as a carpet cleaner to stream video games full-time. Streaming his Starcraft II matches on livestream.com and ustream.tv,[7] then Justin.tv (now Twitch), he was immediately financially successful.[4][6][8] In October of that year, Bonnell joined professional team Quantic Gaming and placed 4th in the 2011 MLG Global North American invitational.[9] During his years as a Starcraft II streamer, Bonnell was known for his abrasive and confrontational style, including use of "acerbic and often offensive" comments against other players for shock humor.[4] Bonnell identified as a libertarian during this era, but his politics began shifting toward liberalism after an incident in which he heard another streamer call a gay person a "fucking faggot".[5][6]

Starting in 2016, Bonnell has gained attention for live-streaming political debates with other internet personalities. Subsequent journalistic and academic coverage of right-wing YouTube commentary has credited Bonnell as an early and effective opposition to it, particularly owing to his provocative, combative debate style which appeals to right-wing gaming audiences.[5][10] Bonnell himself has stated that his intention is not to persuade their opponents, but to persuade the audience; although he has expressed that airing his opinions often feels "like screaming into the void", he estimates he has received hundreds of emails from former members of the alt-right crediting him for their conversion to left-wing politics.[5][6] In 2019, Bonnell began debating in favor of capitalism against socialists and communists.[5]

Bonnell debated popular YouTuber Jon Jafari, better known as JonTron, on immigration and assimilation in March 2017, after Jafari tweeted in support of anti-immigration statements by Republican congressman Steve King. In his debate with Bonnell, Jafari's statements concerning race, crime, and immigration were seen as controversial by viewers, and the subsequent backlash garnered media attention.[11][12][13][14]

In November 2018, Bonnell and fellow streamer Trihex (Mychal Ramon Jefferson) premiered a political commentary collaboration, The DT Podcast. The podcast streamed its final episode in October 2019, during which Jefferson confronted Bonnell regarding statements the latter had made defending his use of offensive humor—including racial slurs—in private.[6][15]

Bonnell was notified in September 2020 that his Twitch partnership agreement would be terminated the following month for "encouragement of violence". The termination came as a result of comments made on-stream after the Kenosha unrest shooting, in which Bonnell expressed opposition to riots at the George Floyd protests. Bonnell said that "the rioting needs to fucking stop, and if that means like white redneck fucking militia dudes out there mowing down dipshit protesters that think that they can torch buildings at ten p.m., then at this point they have my fucking blessing..."[16][17] Bonnell later said that Kyle Rittenhouse was clearly misguided but that his frustration was with rioters who Bonnell believed would scare people into voting for Donald Trump again.[18]

In March 2022, Bonnell was indefinitely banned from Twitch due to "hateful conduct".[19][20] Dot Esports speculates that this may have been due to Bonnell streaming with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who had previously been banned from the platform.[19][20][21] Bonnell speculated that the ban reason may have been linked to his expressing the view that "transwomen shouldn't compete with ciswomen in women's athletics".[20]

In September 2023, Bonnell, alongside other political streamers such as Vaush, Emma Vigeland, and Keffals, interviewed U.S. Representative Ro Khanna about various topics, including the importance of youth political participation and ways to push progressive political sentiment, as well as asking questions about Khanna himself.[22][23][24]

Political views and activism

Bonnell describes himself as an "Omniliberal", a phrase he uses to describe a person who believes in the core principles of liberalism, freedom and equality, whilst believing in elements of other ideologies in a "pragmatic way".[25] Bonnell has also described himself as "a very big social democrat".[6] He has argued against both far-right politics and far-left politics.[5][6] In 2021, Bonnell debated Marxian economist Richard D. Wolff, with Bonnell defending capitalism. Bonnell described the label of "socialism" as poorly-defined, and noted a history of famine and abuses in countries like the Soviet Union and China, while Wolff responded by attempting to correct perceived misrepresentations from Bonnell of his views on socialism throughout the debate.[26] Bonnell has cited his poverty during his teenage and college-aged years as an influence on his views, and says that he prefers to argue based on empirical data rather than moral suasion.[6]

In 2020, Bonnell supported the general election campaign of Joe Biden.[27] Following Biden's victory, Bonnell led a canvassing campaign in support of Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in the 2020–21 Georgia Senate runoffs.[28] With the help of approximately 140 volunteers mobilized from Bonnell's online audience, the campaign knocked on an estimated 17,500–20,000 doors in Columbus, Georgia, making it one of the larger campaigns of the election.[29]

Bonnell led another canvassing operation in support of Mark Gudgel for the 2021 Omaha mayoral election.[30] On March 3, 2021, Gudgel officially cut ties with Bonnell over the latter's statements regarding riots at the George Floyd protests.[31]

Following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Bonnell has expressed interest in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He has shown sympathy for Israel, stating, "The Palestinians are oppressed by all the Arab countries, and no country from them, which is supposed to be on 'their' side, has bothered to offer them a real solution – and yet, their anger is directed fully at Israel, and unjustifiably in my opinion." Bonnell was scheduled to debate Norman Finkelstein on the matter, but it was postponed.[32]

Personal life

Bonnell has lived in Nebraska before relocating to the Los Angeles area in December 2018.[6][5] In late 2021 he moved to Miami, Florida.[33]

Bonnell has been married twice, with a son from the first marriage.[34] He is openly bisexual and his second marriage was an open marriage with Swedish streamer Melina Göransson.[6][35][36] Bonnell and Göransson married in December 2021.[37] They separated and filed for divorce in December 2023.[38]

Having studied music in college at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, he plays multiple instruments, including the keyboard, saxophone and guitar.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "The Omni Liberal". Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ Roose, Kevin (June 8, 2019). "Caleb Cain was a college dropout looking for direction. He turned to YouTube". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  3. ↑ Gonzalez, Oscar (June 29, 2022). "Meet the Twitch, YouTube Streamers Who Deradicalize While They Debate". CNET. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 McCormick, Rich (August 26, 2014). "This is why people want to watch other people play video games". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Quirk, Trevor (January 15, 2020). "Can This Notorious Troll Turn People Away From Extremism?". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Breland, Ali (April 1, 2020). "Steve Bonnell Made Big Bucks Following a Simple Plan: Play Video Games. Troll Your Fans. Fight the Online Right". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  7. ↑ No Jumper (September 2, 2022). The Destiny Interview: Relationships, Trans Rights, Trump, Keffals & More (Video). Event occurs at 13:40. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Inside the new world of 24/7 on-demand videogame TV". Edge. July 1, 2013. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Steven "Destiny" Bonnell joins Quantic Gaming". www.gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  10. ↑ Roose, Kevin (June 8, 2019). "The Making of a YouTube Radical (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Popular YouTuber JonTron Has Some Batshit Crazy Thoughts on Immigration He'd Like to Share [Update]". Gizmodo. March 13, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  12. ↑ Gajanan, Mahita (March 14, 2017). "YouTube Star JonTron Under Fire for Comments on Race and Immigration". Time. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  13. ↑ Jackson, Gita (March 17, 2017). "Longtime Fans Of YouTuber JonTron Say They Can't Watch Him Anymore". Kotaku. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "A Brief Breakdown of the JonTron Racism Controversy". Game Rant. March 21, 2017. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. ↑ Viana, Bhernardo (October 24, 2019). "Trihex and Destiny end their podcast over use of the n-word". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  16. ↑ Richman, Olivia (September 12, 2020). "Destiny loses Twitch partnership for "encouraging violence" - LoL - News". WIN.gg. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Twitch Legal Department Unpartners Destiny After 'Encouragement of Violence'". Game Rant. September 12, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  18. ↑ Bonell, Steven. "Kyle Rittenhouse ("mowing down protestors")". My Position. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Polhamus, Blaine (March 23, 2022). "Political streamer Destiny banned from Twitch". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  20. 1 2 3 Litchfield, Ted (March 27, 2022). "Politics streamer Destiny receives indefinite ban from Twitch". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  21. ↑ Gach, Ethan (July 21, 2022). "Trans Streamer Keffals Says Twitch Banned Her For 'Openly Talking' About Abuse She Receives". Kotaku. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  22. ↑ Gutelle, Sam (September 29, 2023). "U.S. rep Ro Khanna streamed with creators like Vaush and Emma Vigeland outside the White House". Congressman Ro Khanna. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  23. ↑ Lorenz, Taylor (September 28, 2023). "Democrats plan four-hour live stream with Twitch and YouTube stars". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Interviewing Congressman Ro Khanna w/ Emma Vigeland". Youtube. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Politics | My Positions". positions.destiny.gg. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  26. ↑ Gault, Matthew (April 23, 2021). "Twitch Streamer Destiny and an Economist Debate Capitalism, Achieve Nothing". Vice. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Voting For / Against Biden - Debate w/ Kim Iversen". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  28. ↑ Gray, Sakura (December 21, 2020). "MATH MVMT hosts canvassing event ahead of Georgia Senate runoffs". WRBL. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  29. ↑ Citarella, Joshua (April 24, 2021). "Are we ready for social media influencers shaping politics?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  30. ↑ Johnson, Anton (February 17, 2021). "How one creator is using streaming service Twitch to shape an Omaha mayoral candidate's 'Destiny'". The Gateway. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  31. ↑ Ristau, Reece (March 13, 2021). "Omaha mayoral candidate cuts ties with internet personality over protest comments". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  32. ↑ Lieberman-Fleshaks, Noa (November 22, 2023). ""Most people don't bother to read or think deeply": Israel discovers surprising supporters online". TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ "BLM Organizer Confronts Destiny On Jacob Blake And Defund The Police... - YouTube". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2022 – via YouTube.
  34. ↑ Kochinski, Ian; Vigeland, Emma; Bonnell, Steven; Grim, Ryan; Khanna, Ro (September 29, 2023). DC INTERVIEW W/ EMMA VIGELAND, RYAN GRIM & DESTINY (Video). Roughly 55 minutes in. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Open Relationships, Intense Officer Confrontation & Dealing w/ the Police - LNOD". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Personal". destiny.gg. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021. Melina and I are currently in an open/poly relationship. We treat each other as primary partners, though we may pursue other sexual/romantic relationships as well.
  37. ↑ Göransson, Melina. "I am married!". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  38. ↑ Bonnell, Steven (December 12, 2023), "Destiny Reveals The Flaws That Ended His Marriage", Last Night On Destiny, retrieved January 4, 2024
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