El Hotzo's acquittal will not be recognized by the prosecution.
In a landmark ruling, the Berlin Tiergarten district court acquitted comedian Sebastian Hotz, also known as El Hotzo, of charges related to a controversial social media comment he made about an attack on former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The controversy began on July 15, 2024, when an attacker shot at Trump in Pennsylvania, hitting him on the right ear. The incident resulted in one death and two injuries. Shortly after, Hotz, with around 740,000 followers on the platform X, posted about the attack. He compared the shots to the "last bus" and commented, "Unfortunately, narrowly missed." He also stated, "I find it absolutely fantastic when fascists die."
The posts fell under the so-called hate crime, and the public prosecutor initially demanded a fine of 6,000 euros, alleging that the comments constituted a disruption of public peace. However, Judge Andrea Wilms ruled that the posts were "criminal satire", even if they were possibly tasteless. She emphasized the importance of freedom of satire in her ruling, stating that the posts were unlikely to incite violence.
Following the posts, a shitstorm erupted in online media, resulting in numerous criminal complaints against Hotz. As a result, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) ended its cooperation with Hotz at the youth radio station Fritz. The posts, due to their reach, were considered capable of creating a climate in which attacks on state officials could thrive.
Despite the initial ruling, the public prosecutor lodged an indefinite appeal. However, as of July 23, 2025, the appeal has been dropped, and the case was resolved with Hotz's acquittal in late July 2025. The German Journalists' Association criticized the trial as excessive, underscoring their support for satirical freedom.
This ruling has sparked a debate about the boundaries of free speech and the role of satire in modern society. As the case unfolds, Hotz continues to be a polarizing figure, with supporters arguing for the importance of free speech and critics claiming that his comments crossed a line.
In the aftermath of the trial, discussions about the limits of free speech and the influence of satire in contemporary society intensified. The general-news outlets and crime-and-justice sectors extensively reported on the political implications of the case. The acquittal of comedian Sebastian Hotz, popularly known as El Hotzo, also ignited debates regarding the role of satire in the realm of politics.
