German comedian charged with ‘approving’ Trump assassination attempt

If found guilty, Sebastian Hotz could face up to three years in prison

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: “You sadly just missed it.”

He later defended his remarks, saying: “I find it fantastic when fascists die. Absolutely no one forces you to feel sorry for fascists – you can just not do it without the slightest consequence.”

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 “rewarding and approval of offenses.” If found guilty, the comedian could face up to three years in prison. The trial is set to begin on July 23.

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Following backlash, the public broadcaster RBB cut ties with Hotz, while its sister channel ARD Kultur canceled a planned event with him. In response to the controversy, Hotz later released a mockumentary on a different network titled I’m Sorry, Mr. President.

In 2024, a gunman opened fire during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the president’s 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 escalating tensions.