Deutsche Medien schaffen einen „Hitler-Eklat“ bei den US Open

US Open: Hitler controversy during Zverev’s victory – this headline was the first thing I saw this morning when reading „Bild“ – in big letters, at the top of the page. Had Adolf Hitler risen again? Or had someone imitated him in Hitler’s manner? Or was someone mocking him? I was sure it was just clickbait, a cheap trick to generate as many clicks as possible. Reading „Bild“ has become even less enjoyable since the old, somewhat critical editorial team was replaced by two loyal „Merkelians“ in the spring. But I have rarely clicked on an article with as much reluctance as today – and in that moment, I envied all those who don’t have to endure it for professional reasons like I do. And indeed, what turned out to be a supposed „Hitler controversy“ was that a spectator in the stands started singing the first line of the Deutschlandlied by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben. The third verse is still the German national anthem to this day. The first verse of the song, which was composed on August 26, 1841, on Heligoland and begins with „Germany, Germany above all“ – has been frowned upon since its misuse by the Nazis. Singing it is considered indecent. But a „Hitler controversy“? Have the colleagues in the major media completely lost their minds? And not only „Bild“ made a big story out of the spectator – other media outlets, such as Die Welt, did as well. My reading tip It is always striking that it is precisely those who have dirt on their hands elsewhere who are particularly strict about „attitude“ and demonstrate it particularly subserviently and loudly. Just in July, the Berlin public prosecutor’s office requested a penalty order against Zverev because he allegedly hit his former girlfriend. That’s why the Olympic champion is politically in line. After the match, he reportedly said to „Bild“ about the spectator: „He started singing the Hitler anthem, ‚Germany, Germany above all'“. Apparently, Zverev was not aware that it was the first verse of the Deutschlandlied and not a „Hitler anthem“ – even though Hitler misused the song. „Bild“ quotes him further as follows: „That was too much. I love it when fans are loud and emotional. But respect must be maintained. I am German and we are not proud of this part of our history. He was sitting in one of the front rows and many people heard it. I had to do something.“ And promptly, Zverev went to the referee and reported the spectator. „Bild“ describes it as follows: „That’s why Zverev now went to the referee in New York, pointed at the man and complained: ‚He said the worst Hitler sentence to me, that’s unacceptable.‘ At the next change of sides, the man was escorted out of the stadium by security forces.“ Embarrassing self-exposure The first verse of the Deutschlandlied as the „worst Hitler sentence“? With this statement, Zverev not only exposed himself as an informer and a warrior for „attitude“, but also as someone who lacks education. Because Hitler said much worse things, by God. Again: The first verse, in which, among other things, the former German Reich is described geographically („From the Maas to the Memel, from the Adige to the Belt“), has a very dark history because Hitler’s armies marched into many countries in Europe with it on their lips. What these lines trigger in other countries is therefore obvious. But how Zverev reacted here and how German media are making a mountain out of a molehill is an example of how far our society has slipped. I would almost speak of an addiction to outrage. And a compulsion to see Nazis everywhere – which is referred to by the abbreviation for good reason, because the entire name – National Socialists – would obviously reveal that they had massive socialist and left-wing extremist tendencies alongside right-wing extremist ones. That is why I felt it necessary to address this story here – as a portrait of the „new Germany“. Particularly bitter: „Germany above all“ is represented in my eyes by those red-green culture warriors who now set the tone in politics and the media and believe that the world climate must be healed by the German spirit. As the „Neue Zürcher Zeitung“ aptly put it some time ago: Formerly, the Germans came into neighboring countries with tanks, today with morals. PS: I keep receiving angry letters in which readers criticize me for addressing topics like this or the Aiwanger scandal. Believe me – I would love nothing more than to do without it. But just as a doctor has to deal with illnesses,

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Deutsche Medien konstruieren „Hitler-Eklat“ bei US Open

„US Open: Hitler-Eklat bei Zverev-Sieg“ – diese Schlagzeile war das erste, was ich heute früh bei der Lektüre der „Bild“ sah – in ganz dicken Lettern, ganz oben auf der Seite. War Adolf Hitler auferstanden? Oder war jemand in Hitler-Manier aufgesprungen? Oder hat ihn jemand nachgeäfft? Ich war mir sicher, dass es nur ein „Clickbait“ war, also ein billiger Trick, um möglichst viele Klicks zu generieren. Das Lesen der „Bild“ ist noch weitaus weniger vergnügungssteuerpflichtig geworden, seit die alte, halbwegs kritische Chefredaktion im Frühjahr durch zwei treue „Merkelianer“ ersetzt wurde. Aber mit so viel Unwillen wie heute habe ich selten auf einen Artikel geklickt – und in diesem Moment alle diejenigen beneidet, die sich das nicht aus beruflichen Gründen antun

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