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Reflecto News | German Politics | Media & Culture
BERLIN — A newly unearthed profile of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has revisited a viral 2020 Zoom gaffe, in which a frustrated Merz, then an opposition MP, began yelling and swearing at his computer after failing to hear anyone during an interview — unaware that his own speakers were muted .
The incident, originally buried during the COVID-19 pandemic, has resurfaced in a Die Welt profile published on Saturday, May 2, 2026, as Merz’s approval ratings continue to slump and his administration faces an escalating economic crisis .
🎙️ What Happened: The ‘Screen Rant’ Seen Around the World
The April 2020 incident occurred during a live-streamed interview with the Bonner Generalanzeiger newspaper. According to the newly published account, the technician setting up the call inadvertently selected speakers that were not functioning, leaving Merz unable to hear the journalist’s questions .
What the audience heard, however, was perfectly clear.
- The Meltdown: After silently watching his monitor for a few seconds, the then-64-year-old CDU leader slammed his hand on his desk and began shouting, “I CAN’T HEAR ANYTHING! HELLO? DOES ANYBODY HEAR ME?”
- Swearing on Air: Growing increasingly agitated, Merz reportedly yelled, “F*CK! THIS ISN’T WORKING!”
- The Fix: An aide, Armin Peter, entered the frame, pointed at the speaker icon on the screen, and silently adjusted the volume. The video then cut back to an embarrassed-looking Merz, who smoothly continued the interview as if nothing had happened.
At the time, the clip became a “mask-off” moment in German political satire, with late-night hosts contrasting Merz’s “buttoned-up industrialist” persona with his openly “frustrated, elderly man shouting at a screen” behavior.
🕰️ Why the Merz ‘Meltdown’ is Making Headlines Now
The release of the detailed account in Die Welt — a conservative newspaper that normally supports the CDU — suggests a deliberate shift in editorial tone aimed at criticizing the Chancellor’s current leadership struggles .
| Then (2020) | Now (2026) |
|---|---|
| Opposition MP frustrated with technology | Chancellor frustrated with a tanking economy |
| Screamed at a computer screen because he couldn’t hear | Publicly argues with the SPD coalition partner; approval rating at 18% |
| An aide fixed the problem in seconds | No clear fix for structural issues (energy, migration, Ukraine) in sight |
With Merz facing low approval ratings due to the Iran war-induced energy crisis and a rise in AfD polling, the image of a short-tempered, tech-illiterate leader is being used by critics to imply analogous ineffectiveness in his current governance.
🗣️ Official Response
A government spokesperson confirmed the story’s authenticity, stating, “The Chancellor recalls that incident and admits it was ‘older man, new technology’ frustration. He does not believe it reflects on his ability to manage a war cabinet” .
Armin Peter, Merz’s long-time aide who saved the day back in 2020, remains working in Merz’s chancellery. He declined to comment on whether the incident merits a footnote in German political history.
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| The Incident | In 2020, Merz shouted and swore at his computer during a Zoom interview because his speakers were muted . |
| The Fix | An aide pointed at the mute button and solved the problem in seconds . |
| The 2026 Relevancy | Critics use the incident to draw parallels to his current struggles managing the economy . |
| Merz’s Approval | Currently at 18%, with 80% of Germans dissatisfied . |
| Die Welt’s Stance | The conservative paper published the profile, signaling a shift in editorial tone . |
Follow Reflecto News for continuous updates on Chancellor Merz, German politics, and all breaking news from Europe.
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