The journalist dared to joke about Tusk
A reporter from the daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita, Michał Kolanko, found himself at the center of online debate after covering the re-elected president Andrzej Duda meeting with voters during the 2020 campaign. He posted a photo on Twitter showing Duda offering donuts, a moment that stirred strong reactions among supporters of the ruling party and the opposition alike. Kolanko had previously been seen as someone who did not always align with the governing party or its critics, and this latest post sparked criticism from those who viewed the joke as a misstep. The question many asked was whether drawing humor at the expense of Donald Tusk would be tolerated by political watchers and the public alike.
One line of curiosity centered on whether a notable figure from the United States, such as President Joe Biden, would show support for a particular Polish political list, a topic Kolanko touched upon in a provocative way. The journalist’s post referenced a meeting between Biden and members of Poland’s political scene, including Donald Tusk, Rafał Trzaskowski, and Tomasz Grodzki, prompting a wide range of interpretations and reactions across the political spectrum.
Anger from the opposition
Commentators aligned with the opposition voiced displeasure with the post. Critics argued that the tone used in the Twitter commentary signaled a departure from the impartial stance expected of journalism, urging Kolanko either to join a political party or to stop presenting himself as a neutral observer.
Roman Giertych, a lawyer, voiced the sentiment that the journalist’s involvement in ridiculing a meeting involving opposition figures diminished his standing as a professional who should remain independent. The exchange raised questions about whether some public figures treat certain media commentators as free voices rather than as partisan voices with particular loyalties.
Another line of inquiry emerged: what motivated the hostility behind the reactions? Arkadiusz Myrcha, a member of parliament from KO, questioned the journalist, inviting further discussion on the public role of media personalities and how humor is perceived in political discourse.
In a public exchange, Kolanko commented briefly on a social media thread, and the dialogue continued with others weighing in on the content and its implications for journalistic credibility. The thread’s back-and-forth illustrated the often tense intersection between political satire, media accountability, and audience expectations in a polarized media environment.
Another “bad symmetrists”
The incident was not isolated. Other journalists were mentioned in discussions about how jokes related to meetings involving the U.S. president and Polish political figures were received. The broader point raised concerned the etiquette and protocol surrounding official meetings with the sitting U.S. president. A common understanding is that such meetings include a formal handshake photograph, while the actual dialogue may involve a mix of formal remarks and informal exchanges, sometimes with other participants on stage or in follow-up moments.
The discourse moved quickly to consider the speed at which such meetings are documented and discussed, with many noting that some of the most memorable moments are simply snapshots or short exchanges rather than fully scripted conversations. The online conversation underscored how easily commentary can diverge from the structured events planned by diplomats and officials, especially when social media amplifies every remark or gesture.
Editors and readers alike were reminded that public figures often face intense scrutiny whenever humor or dissent appears in relation to a high-profile meeting. The discussion highlighted the delicate balance between free expression and professional responsibility in journalism, particularly when political actors interpret coverage in different ways. The public mood around these exchanges suggested a shared expectation that media professionals maintain a baseline of impartiality, even when satirical content is part of the discourse.
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– Tusk’s remarks about a conversation with the American leader prompted curiosity about what Biden might have said in response. The Polish opposition’s leadership also posed with the U.S. president in a photo that circulated widely, drawing commentary from various corners of the political spectrum.
There was a sense that grand announcements were overshadowed by the brief nature of certain meetings between Tusk and Trzaskowski with President Biden. The events, often summarized in quick posts and memes, raised broader questions about the impact of social media on political communication and public perception.
Source: sources familiar with the Polish media landscape and the coverage patterns around political reporting in Poland.