Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has launched a formal investigation into the Vendome nightclub after it played Kanye West’s anti-Semitic song “Heil Hitler” for a group of far-right influencers over the weekend.
Miner told NewsNation he wants answers beyond the club’s initial response.
“This is a start. Of course, it’s great that they recognize there’s a problem here,” the mayor said Friday. “But I think further investigation is warranted.”
Controversy erupted when video showed Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate, Tristan Tate, Myron Gaines and other influencers celebrating the banned song at the Vendôme Arena.
Video captured a group of people receiving VIP treatment while anti-Semitic songs were played during a cork-opening ceremony. Vendome bosses have sacked three staff and permanently banned the influencers from the venue.
The club issued a statement claiming they did not condone anti-Semitism or hate speech. However, video evidence appears to show co-founder Jonathan Mansour standing next to the controversial group during the incident.
The influencers specifically requested the song, according to multiple eyewitness accounts and social media posts from the night. Andrew Tate later claimed on the PBD Podcast that he did not ask for the song or participate in the chorus.
He blamed the incident on influencers seeking controversy to generate attention and views. Miami Beach Commissioner Joseph Magazine expressed “absolute and utter disgust” at the incident.
“Joking or mocking the death of millions is one of those unspoken social lines you can’t cross,” the magazine told the Miami Herald.
The incident occurred in a city where Jewish residents make up approximately 20 to 30 percent of the population. Commissioner David Suarez took a harsher stance, calling the influencers “a group of liars who confuse intimidation with machismo and seek attention by impersonating neo-Nazis.”
Florida’s legal framework offers several potential avenues for nightclub charges. The state’s 2024 anti-Semitism statute defines hate speech based on guidelines from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
Florida Statute 1.015 explicitly considers “the use of symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism” as a form of discrimination. Recent legislation in Florida elevates certain hate-motivated harassment from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.
Unbelievable: A Miami club called the Vendôme hosted the station’s stars—Nick Fuentes, Sanico, and Andrew Tate, among others—some of whom openly supported the Nazis and even provided Kanye West’s song “H*il Hit*er” at their request. pic.twitter.com/1vxuVFondr
— Vegas ⚔️ (@vegasyx) January 18, 2026
House Bill 269 would make it a felony for groups to harass or intimidate others based on religion or race. The law targets public nuisance and anti-Semitic behavior in business settings.
Miami Beach’s business licensing rules also give officials the power to review establishments that cause public disturbances. The city could investigate whether Vendôme violated its operating license by hosting events that promoted hate speech or endangered public safety.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Miami schedules a meeting with Vendôme owners to address anti-Semitic demonstrations. Vice-President Josh Sayles said the organization wanted to hear explanations from clubs before reaching a final conclusion.
Mayor Miner stressed that Miami Beach will not tolerate extremist behavior in nightlife. “The normalization of anti-Semitism, hate speech, or extremist ideologies has no place in our Miami Beach community, our nightlife, or any public space,” he said on Facebook.
The investigation will examine whether Florida’s enhanced hate crimes statute applies to criminal charges.
