TL;DR

• TikTok removed six videos by far-right Polish politician Grzegorz Braun for hate speech.
• Anti-racism group ‘Never Again’ flagged the clips, calling them only “the tip of the iceberg.”
• Braun is notorious for antisemitic and anti-minority stunts, including tearing down LGBTQ exhibits.
• Polish authorities have charged him with multiple offences; his growing political influence alarms many.
• The situation raises urgent questions about online hate, platform responsibility, and community safety.

TikTok Zaps Poland’s Far-Right Firestarter

TikTok has shown the door to Grzegorz Braun—the Polish far-right headline-grabber who never met a minority he didn’t want to antagonize—after swiping six of his videos off the platform for hate speech. Braun, long known for tapping into the darkest corners of nationalist fury, shot to global infamy when he marched into parliament and blasted out Hanukkah candles with a fire extinguisher. Yes, really.

But according to anti-racism organization Never Again, those now-deleted posts were just a sampling platter of Braun’s bigotry. Rafal Pankowski, a leading figure in the group, warned that the online sewer runs deep: the politician has pumped out content “saturated with hostility” toward Jews, Ukrainians, and—like clockwork—other minorities. His coverage doesn’t stop at rhetoric; it oozes glorification and even incitement, a cocktail social platforms simply can’t let simmer.

A Political Rise Fueled by Outrage

Once dismissed as a crank at the fringes of Poland’s political spectrum, Braun has muscled his way into relevance. His party, Confederation of the Polish Crown, now polls in the double digits—numbers that could give him a shot at influencing future coalitions. But while his supporters applaud his “defense of Catholic Poland,” critics see a litany of public disorder, bigotry, and dangerous theatrics.

He has racked up charges ranging from offending religious sentiments to stirring up public disorder—seven offences so far. Even the European Parliament has tired of his antics, stripping him of immunity so prosecutors can proceed. Yet the chaos seems only to increase his visibility; the more he lashes out, the more his base rallies.

Anti-Minority Antics Go Global

Braun’s résumé of hostility reads like an extremist’s greatest hits playlist: ranting outside Auschwitz-Birkenau, ripping down Ukrainian flags, and smashing displays that highlight LGBTQ rights. Each incident shakes communities who already feel vulnerable in a shifting political climate. His stunts draw outrage, yes—but they also draw clicks, and that attention fuels his brand of nationalism.

For LGBTQ people in particular, Braun’s aggression fits a familiar pattern: when someone targets one minority, they usually target others. His destruction of LGBTQ exhibits is not accidental—it’s part of the same hateful machinery used against Jewish and Ukrainian communities. Platforms like TikTok stepping in sends a message: hate doesn’t get a free stage.

The Stakes for LGBTQ Communities

While this latest crackdown focuses on antisemitic content, the implications stretch far wider. LGBTQ Poles—already navigating rising hostility from various conservative factions—are watching closely. If hate against one group spreads unchecked, it inevitably emboldens attacks on others. Removing Braun’s videos isn’t just a moderation decision; it’s a small but crucial defense of pluralism, dignity, and safety. It signals that online platforms won’t let demagogues escalate their crusades against marginalized communities without consequence.

TikTok confirmed the removals and cited its hate speech policies. Braun’s camp, meanwhile, offered no comment—perhaps too busy drafting the next “defense of Poland” rant. But the story is clear: in a digital era where extremists relish the spotlight, this was a rare moment where the platform pulled the plug. And for LGBTQ people and other minorities, every extinguished spark of hate is one less fire to put out.