Thomas Greiss is apologizing after it was discovered he liked multiple controversial Instagram posts, with one comparing Hillary Clinton to Adolph Hitler.
Greiss liked posts suggesting Clinton voters were like dogs at the polls, that they “kill people” and worst, one that suggested that Hitler was just as innocent as Clinton because, like her, he was never arrested or convicted.
Der @DEB_eV nominiert also echt Thomas Greiss, der gern mal Hitlerbildchen bei Instagram liked. Widerlich… #DEB #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/5mPerTSTEW
— Christian Baumeier (@Wally44) April 18, 2017
Greiss apologized for the incident, per Arthur Staples of Newsday:
“I apologize for interacting with several posts that appeared in my timeline, which were wrong to engage with,” Greiss said through the team. “ ‘Liking’ these posts was a mistake, and I sincerely apologize again.”
According to Staples, the head of the German hockey federation strongly criticized Greiss’ online activity. Most notably, German Olympic Sports Confederation president Alfons Hoermann offered scathing criticism of Greiss, suggesting he wouldn’t take part in the 2018 Olympics.
Now, it’s important to note the GIHF offered the following statement in support of Greiss.
“It’s very important to make clear that Thomas Greiss is definitely not a right-wing extremist nor a right-wing populist,” federation vice-president Marc Hindelang said.
As Sportsnet notes, the chances Greiss participates in the 2018 games are small, considering NHL players are unlikely to go – making Hoermann’s condemnation a thinly veiled threat.
Regardless of punishment, Greiss liking those posts is downright idiotic. Sure, he’s allowed to have his own political views, but liking posts comparing Clinton to Hitler is way too far. Hopefully, he shuts down his account and focuses his political frustrations elsewhere from now on.
