TALLAHASSEE, Fla. â In a bold bid to reshape Florida's moral and fiscal landscape, Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has proposed a first-of-its-kind "sin tax" that would impose a 50 percent levy on income earned by OnlyFans creators residing in the state. The 31-year-old investment firm CEO, a political newcomer endorsed by far-right figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, argues the measure would generate hundreds of millions in revenue to bolster public education, fund crisis pregnancy centers, and create a mental health czar focused on men's issues.
"As Florida governor in year one, I will push for the first-of-its-kind OnlyFans Sin Tax," Fishback declared in a recent interview on the conservative YouTube channel NXR Studios. "If you are a so-called OnlyFans creator in Florida, you are going to pay 50 percent to the state on whatever you so-called earn via that online degeneracy platform." He framed the tax as both a revenue tool and a deterrent, stating its purpose is to "disincentivize and deter a behavior" he views as harmful to society.
The proposal has ignited widespread backlash, particularly from content creators who see it as an assault on personal autonomy and legal entrepreneurship. Sophie Rain, a 21-year-old OnlyFans star who claims to have earned $83 million on the platform without posting nude content, called the idea "the dumbest thing I've ever heard of." "How do you charge a sin tax to a Christian who hasnât sinned?" she told People magazine, questioning why creators are targeted rather than subscribers. "I feel like itâs also a constitutional violation. No one ever forced me to start an OnlyFans; it was my decision." Conservative OnlyFans creator Anya Lacey echoed the sentiment, slamming Fishback for moralizing while ignoring broader economic inequalities.
Legal experts have raised serious doubts about the plan's viability. Florida's state constitution explicitly prohibits income taxes, a provision that could doom the proposal if courts view it as such rather than a permissible excise tax. Moreover, selectively taxing profits from speech on one platformâwhile sparing similar content on sites like Patreon or even traditional adult entertainmentâmay violate the First Amendment by discriminating against protected expression. "Taxing profits from one's legal speech on one platform and not similarly situated platforms is clearly unconstitutional," noted a commentary in Reason magazine. Critics argue this amounts to unequal regulation of legal businesses, potentially driving creators out of state and stifling a multibillion-dollar industry operating within the boundaries of federal law.
The backlash has spilled across social media. On X (formerly Twitter), users decried the tax as "control dressed as policy," with one post lamenting it punishes women while billionaires "dodge taxes." Another called it an attack on "women's autonomy," garnering thousands of views. On Instagram, discussions framed it as "moral policing" rather than sound economics, with commenters questioning why OnlyFans is singled out amid Florida's existing sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco. Reddit threads in forums like r/nottheonion mocked the idea as hypocritical, with users speculating on Fishback's own online habits. Facebook users echoed concerns, noting the irony of using "sin" revenue for schools while taxing "whether we do it or not."
Notably, AVN Award-winning adult performer London River, known for her work in mainstream porn films and as a dominatrix, posted twice on January 13, 2026, mocking Fishback's motivations.
Fishback's proposal is not the first clash between Florida policymakers and the adult industry; in 2025, the state's HB 3 age verification law for online pornographic content led Pornhub to block access entirely for Florida users, arguing it posed privacy risks and was ineffective.
As the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race heats up, Fishback's provocative tax proposal underscores the deepening rifts over personal freedoms, economic innovation, and moral governance in a state long defined by its libertarian leanings.
