German Court Acquits Satirist Over Trump Assassination Mockery

A German satirist known as Sebastian Hotz, or "El Hotzo," was acquitted by a Berlin court after being charged with approving an assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump through social media posts. Hotz had made provocative posts on X last July, including a comment about Trump and “the last bus” being “unfortunately just missed” and expressing approval when “fascists die” following the shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. Prosecutors sought a fine, arguing the posts constituted hate crimes and could disturb public peace due to Hotz’s large follower base. However, the judge ruled that the posts were clearly satirical and should not be punished despite their tasteless nature, emphasizing that such satire would not incite violence. The German Journalists' Association criticized the trial as excessive and advocated for broad protection of satirical freedom, noting that public broadcaster RBB had already severed ties with Hotz over the posts. Hotz defended his statements as comedic and provocative work typical of satire.