Fynn Kliemann presents himself as a victim with a rant

opinion

Not four weeks ago, a remorseful Fynn Kliemann looked into the camera and apologized in an Instagram video. He announced that he wanted to clean up after Jan Böhmermann and his editors of “ZDF Magazin Royale” uncovered startling mask deals.

At the heart of the TV report was the question of whether the textile company Global Tactics did business with a wholesaler in 2020 and the country of production was deliberately kept secret – masks came from Asia instead of Europe. The allegations also relate to defective masks that were donated to refugees.

Fynn Kliemann: Freak out on Instagram

But instead of leaving it at his apology, Kliemann apparently felt compelled to take up the topic again on Sunday evening. Instead of being remorseful, the entrepreneur is furious. The problem: He presents himself as a victim of a greater power and even drifts off into phrases reminiscent of conspiracy theories that are dangerous.

He made mistakes, he apologized, he says on Instagram. “But here people who have decided for themselves and you to realize themselves are taken into clan custody for me and that’s wrong. What does ‘Kliemannsland’ have to do with it? Nothing. And the people there certainly don’t,” he says, alluding to the adventure farm that he created and named after himself.

The trigger was probably one of “Kliemannsland”, in which the operators position themselves and explain how they want to work in the future. But the defense of his court does not stop there. Kliemann seems to see himself as a victim of a major media conspiracy.

It sounds like a conspiracy theory

“Quite a lot of people” would have “mixed up quite a lot,” he says, and speaks of “reporters gone mad.” He also complains about a “woke left scene” that is never good enough. He’s just “different,” says Kliemann, and tries to try new things. It’s normal for him to fail and make mistakes.

It’s the old “little man versus the mighty” narrative that Kliemann uses in his rant. “The media” against him. “It’s the same bullshit as in the schoolyard back then, that someone wants to tell you how to have fun. In ‘Kliemannsland’ you’re accepted the way you are. But there’s this one part in the woken left scene , who just can’t accept it”, so the accusation.

As if anyone had a problem with people in “Kliemannsland” being creatively self-fulfilling. The influencer is a jack of all trades. That’s why the fans love him. The problem: If the worm is in one area, does the rest of the apple still taste good? Even he shouldn’t be surprised that supporters should avoid Kliemannsland until the scandal is resolved. After all, he stands for this with his name.

But the absurd thing is that nobody wants to tell Fynn Kliemann how to have fun. But it’s about dirty business, which is why even the Stade public prosecutor’s office has now turned on. A few days ago, the authority said it was being investigated on suspicion of fraud against the musician and businessman in the context of the Böhmermann contribution to controversial business with protective masks. It remains to be seen what the investigation will reveal, but it cannot be denied under any circumstances.

Dangerous rhetoric

Kliemann is not a harmless dissenter who “the media” now want to thwart. He is a successful entrepreneur with several companies and earns (a lot of) money with his projects. Kliemann is no longer the DIY guy from the farm. And now he’s – possibly – messed things up. Crap uncovered by a journalistic editorial board and now under further investigation. This is precisely an elementary part of our society and Kliemann has enough media experience to know that himself.

All the more dangerous his intricate criticism of the public sector. “You made me big with public money, then I didn’t feel it, and I’m supposed to be destroyed with exactly the same money now,” he mobs on Instagram, alluding to Böhmermann’s ZDF program. At least a strange victim staging that sounds a lot like conspiracy theory.

By presenting himself as a harmless freedom fighter who is simply “different” and therefore persecuted by the media, the 34-year-old weakens his own apology strategy and destroys what he had just built up again. After the Instagram tirade, his credibility may have been even more affected than it already was by Böhmermann’s revelations.

Sources used: DPA, Instagram