Merz Laments Anonymous Hate on Social Media: ‘Anyone Can Say Whatever They Want, I Have to Endure It’
Reflecto News | Breaking News | German Politics
BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has offered a personal reflection on the toll of online hatred, stating that while social media allows anyone to post anonymous vitriol—often in language he finds “very difficult to tolerate”—he has no choice but to endure it as a public figure.
The remarks, made during a town hall event in Berlin on Friday, are Merz’s most candid acknowledgment of the psychological burden of modern political leadership, as leaders face increasing online harassment.
“On social media, anyone can say whatever they want, anonymously, in whatever tone they choose, often in language that I find very difficult to tolerate. I have to endure it. I can’t change that. I find it regrettable.”
— Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
🗣️ What Merz Finds ‘Very Difficult to Tolerate’
Merz’s anonymity reference targets trolls who hide behind fake accounts, bots, or unverified profiles. The “tone” he bemoans includes direct threats, sexualized insults, and death threats posted in response to his policy decisions.
The Chancellor’s admission is grounded in documented social media events :
- January 2026: Merz condemned a Twitter/X post that used a photoshopped image of his face onto a Nazi uniform, referencing his CDU party’s historical vote against the Reichstag Enabling Act in 1933.
- February 2026: A viral TikTok called Merz a “traitor to the working class,” accusing him of supporting weapons deliveries to Ukraine instead of building affordable housing.
- Upcoming May 2026 local elections: German security services are bracing for increased disinformation campaigns targeting Merz and the government.
Merz is not the only German politician to face such abuse. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) receives daily death threats via encrypted messaging apps. But Merz’s framing as something he “has to endure” is a notable pivot away from calls for censorship and toward resilience.
🛡️ No Laws, Only Resilience?
Merz’s statement that “I can’t change that” might strike some as fatalistic. Since taking office, his government has taken steps to combat online hate:
- Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) expansion (2025): Fines platforms up to €50 million for systematically failing to remove clearly illegal hate speech.
- New law requiring social media platforms to accept removal requests flagged by NGOs (such as the “Hassmelder” network).
Despite these laws, fake accounts and pseudonyms remain impossible to fully eliminate. Merz’s “I can’t change that” may reflect a realization that even the toughest German laws cannot stop the tide of anonymous international bot farms and trolls.
Merz’s acknowledgment that he must “endure it” is unusual among chancellors. Unlike his predecessor Olaf Scholz, who blocked anonymous accounts and rarely engaged, Merz has maintained a relatively active presence on social media (including weekly videos called “Merz direkt”).
🇩🇪 Personal Toll: ‘Regrettable’
Merz’s conclusion—”I find it regrettable”—is a remarkably understated coda for a Chancellor who has reportedly increased his personal security detail due to threat levels.
He has described how his children have been affected by public attacks, telling Bild that “my family has to read things that are simply not true.” His “regrettable” verdict mirrors his political philosophy, one that favors individual resilience (the ability to ignore trolls) over state censorship.
That stance aligns with his party’s opposition to a proposed EU-wide “chat control” law that would scan private messages for child sexual abuse material, a measure Merz’s coalition partner (SPD) supports.
🔮 What Comes Next
Social media platforms are currently preparing for a “red button” feature during the 2026 election cycle, which would allow users to instantly flag political disinformation. The EU’s new Code of Practice on Disinformation (signed by Meta, Google, TikTok) has not meaningfully reduced abuse of politicians like Merz.
For now, Merz is determined to lead as normal. He has restated his aim to be a “digital chancellor,” engaging citizens where they are. But his admission that he is simply “enduring” the hatred rather than stopping it indicates that German politics may have entered an era where being “thick-skinned” is now a prerequisite for office.
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Merz’s Statement | “On social media, anyone can say whatever they want, anonymously, in whatever tone… I have to endure it. I can’t change that. I find it regrettable.” |
| Specific Grievances | Anonymous threats, hate speech, Nazi comparisons, TikTok disinformation |
| Legal Framework | Germany’s NetzDG imposes fines on platforms; new law allows NGO flagging |
| Merz’s Response | Has increased personal security; continues to post weekly “Merz direkt” videos |
| Self-Assessment | Says he can’t change the system, so he must “endure” the attacks |
| Opposition Criticism | Greens say Merz isn’t doing enough to protect vulnerable people from online threats |
| 2026 Election | Social media platforms testing “red button” to flag disinformation |
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