The digital cult of 'Saints' and the rise of Terrorgram

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Beyond the dark corners of Telegram lies Terrorgram, a decentralized network of neo-fascist channels. It doesn't just spread ideology; it promotes 'Saints culture,' a dark fandom that venerates mass shooters and terrorists as martyrs to inspire a new wave of militant accelerationism.

Comprising various far-right and neo-fascist Telegram channels, Terrorgram functions as a decentralized network advocating militant accelerationism—the concept of sparking revolution by destabilising society. The movement draws heavily from the defunct neo-Nazi forum Iron March and the book 'Siege' by James Mason. This ideology encourages the formation of leaderless terrorist cells and has been linked to groups like the Atomwaffen Division and The Base.

The network's aesthetic, often called 'terrorwave,' utilizes neon colors, classical imagery, and red, white, and black graphics. This is frequently paired with esoteric or occultist themes, such as Esoteric Hitlerism. This visual language often features paramilitaries in skull masks and slogans like 'TRAITORS WILL HANG.' The community also uses 'Saints culture' to sanctify attackers who meet specific criteria: being of white race, conducting a deliberate attack, and killing at least one person to 'protect the white race.'

The network's impact has triggered global legal responses. In 2021, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue identified over 200 neo-Nazi channels within the network, many containing bomb-making instructions. While Telegram attempts to shadowban such content, some channels have grown exponentially. Consequently, several nations have taken action: the United Kingdom proscribed the collective in April 2024, and the United States designated it a terrorist organization on January 13, 2025. Australia and New Zealand followed with similar designations in 2025.

Despite being described by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue as effectively defunct in 2024 due to high-profile arrests, the network's influence persists through various legal cases. These include prosecutions for conspiring to bomb electric infrastructure, inciting terrorism, and plotting attacks on religious or government sites across the United States, Denmark, Australia, and beyond.

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