German comedian charged with โapproval ofโ Trump assassination attempt โ RT Entertainment
German comedian Sebastian Hotz has been charged with condoning violence after joking on X about the assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump.
In a now-deleted post, Hotz compared the July 13, 2024 shooting at a Trump rally to missing a bus, writing: โYou sadly just missed it.โ
He later defended his remarks, saying: โI find it fantastic when fascists die. Absolutely no one forces you to feel sorry for fascists โ you can just not do it without the slightest consequence.โ
A spokesperson for a Berlin court told Der Spiegel on Saturday that Hotz was charged under Section 140 of the German Criminal Code, which bans the โrewarding and approval of offenses.โ If found guilty, the comedian could face up to three years in prison. The trial is set to begin on July 23.
Following a backlash, the public broadcaster RBB cut ties with Hotz, while sister channel ARD Kultur canceled a planned event with him. In response to the controversy, Hotz released a mockumentary on a different network titled โIโm Sorry, Mr. Presidentโ.
In 2024, a gunman opened fire during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the presidentโs ear and killing one person in the crowd. The shooter was shot dead by the Secret Service.
Trump and many Republicans have accused Democrats of fostering a political climate that encourages violence against conservatives. Democrats, in turn, have blamed Trump and his rhetoric for the escalating tensions.
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