Blue Jays respond after Anthony Santander’s Islamophobic Instagram posts go viral

The Toronto Blue Jays issued a statement emphasizing inclusivity after outfielder Anthony Santander shared viral social media posts containing inflammatory, Islamophobic claims following the U.S. midterm elections. Santander posted and subsequently deleted two video clips to his Instagram Stories, one alleging newly elected Muslim officials seek to impose Sharia law and another claiming Islam is inherently violent.

In response, the team affirmed that baseball is for everyone and highlighted their commitment to welcoming all fans. Santander, who signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal before the 2025 season, missed the entire 2026 campaign following shoulder surgery, prompting significant backlash and calls for team discipline from supporters online.