SD sources about withdrawn support: National profiles have irritated the party leadership

Clicky headlines and sharp statements characterize the media channel Rik's feature, which has 179,000 followers on YouTube, and a content that often follows the Sweden Democrats' priority issues. Criticism of multiculturalism and SD's political opponents is common.

Recently, the channel's political editor and responsible publisher Richard Sörman has raised his voice in the argument about Swedishness on social media, directly against the SD leadership.

"Is Sweden the Swedes' homeland or not?" asks Sörman in one of his posts, and problematizes the consequences of what the party leadership calls "open Swedishness".

According to DN's information, the stance has angered SD's leadership. Despite the party not having formal connections to Riks since 2023, it has been responsible for a large part of the channel's funding. In 2025, more than half of Rik's income was gifts from SD. According to Jacob Hagnell, who is now the sole owner and CEO, the money has been donated without any requirements connected to the content.

- Gifts are given unconditionally. I have not had any major discussions with the party about the funding.

Several media have reported that SD's support to Riks may now be withdrawn. Well-informed SD sources tell DN that the Sweden Democrats' plan has long been to phase out the current support. Richard Sörman's debate contribution in the infected row about Swedishness has accelerated the process, according to several of the sources.

After the setback in the 2026 election, a major reorganization is now underway to cut down on the party's expenses, which means that the money that goes to the media channel is also reviewed.

The party board must determine the budget in mid-December. A final decision is then made as to whether, and to what extent, the aid is to be withdrawn.

- I have not heard anything about that being the case. My ambition with Riks is to continue developing the commercial part further, says Jacob Hagnell.

How would it affect you if you didn't get this money?

- If it is the case that you have a significant drop-out, that has an impact. You can always adapt the suit a little according to how plump you are at the moment.

SVT has reported that Riks has already dismissed several people and notified employees of the dismissal. Jacob Hagnell believes that the editors were scaled up during the election coverage.

- As CEO, I need to consider how the business can be managed in the best way going forward, and what resources and funds we have, he says.

On Friday, SD's Jimmie Åkesson went out in a debate article and put his foot down in the argument about Swedishness. The party leader took a clear stand for "open Swedishness", the cultural nationalist line from SD's program of principles. He called the dissenters "egocentric, self-proclaimed guardians of ideas" and urged all politically active people to conform to the party line.

"Otherwise you have to step off, or be kicked out," wrote Åkesson.

Hagnell says that he is surprised by the turned-up tone in the discussion of Swedishness. Several of Rik's profiles have participated - including Richard Sörman.

- In this rather wild debate, they have raised the perspective that origin is something that matters. Since then, there have been extremely dramatic tones and very harsh language.

Have you received backstabbing from SD for raising this perspective?

- No, we are an independent editorial office. We highlight the issues we deem relevant, says Jacob Hagnell.