German media likens US border patrol official’s coat to ‘Nazi look’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/gregory-bovino-coat-german-media

Gregory Bovino’s outwear choice prompts German commentators to compare it to fascist aesthetic

254 points · 24 comments · view on lemmy.world

24 Comments

Warl0k3@lemmy.world · 39 pts · 193d (3 replies)

So is American media, it's really not a subtle look:

FuglyDuck@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 193d (2 replies)

just for further reference. even copied the dumbass baldric strap that does absolutely fuck all (because he's not exactly carrying a sword)

ryannathans@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 192d (1 reply)

What strap? I don't see it, can you point out the baldric strap it the US image? That's hilarious if true

FuglyDuck@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 192d

You can see it under his greatcoat, at the center of his chest. Looks like a skinny leather belt. or whenever he’s not wearing body armor.

Here’s a picture with him not in the jacket, with the baldric between the red arrows, going from his epaulet loops to the opposite side, towards his belt.

Originally baldrics were worn to support the weight of swords or big ass daggers (the Roman legionaries had them for the gladius for example.)

Then as we switched to firearms, they were used for their weight- until we found better ways for more casual carry.

ExtremeDullard@piefed.social · 17 pts · 193d (8 replies)

At 5'7", this motherfucker ain't much of an aryan, and he'd better be careful not to trip on his Nazi cosplay outfit.

FuglyDuck@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 193d

Like, I don't normally make fun of short guys. But this guy... well. not only is he short, but it probably drives him crazy.

ieatpwns@lemmy.world · 18 pts · 193d

1/3 reich

Keilik@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 193d (4 replies)

Hey now, you gotta watch what you say.

He is 5’4”

new_world_odor@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 193d (3 replies)

Can we not do this appearance slandering shit? Criticize him for his choices (like the coat) not genes. Plenty of short people out here who fucking hate this guy.

Gerblat@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 192d

Look, I know in a vacuum it’s not a good thing to do. But with the way he tries to project himself as strong and powerful, this sort of thing undermines him and almost certainly frustrates him and drives him crazy. That’s one of the best ways to deal with narcissists, fascists, etc., by showing them that we know they aren’t actually big and tough. It’s absolutely petty, schoolyard bullshit, but unfortunately that’s just as far as he ever matured.

Anyone who just happens to be short, but isn’t running around cosplaying as a big strong Nazi shit, should know that there’s actually nothing wrong with being short, and it isn’t an attack on them

Keilik@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 193d

I’ll stop discriminating against him about his height when he stops discriminating based on skin color

Honse@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 192d

Found the short guy

digredior@lemmynsfw.com · 1 pts · 192d

Hey… 5’7” ain’t that short!

Fuck that guy though, for real.

Kowowow@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 193d (2 replies)

Not going to lie I love long wool coats so I can't really criticize the guy for that but the rest of his life choices I have to assume are awful

daannii@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 192d (1 reply)

Yeah the long wool coat is aesthetic. But it's not that functional. Especially for -20 MN weather.
Parkas are more appropriate.

He's wearing it cause hes a wannabe Nazi

grue@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 192d

He's not a "wannabe."

UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 193d (3 replies)

God I hate this shit. A street gang of state financed thugs tackled an EMT, bludgeoned him in the head, and then executed him because one of them thought he might have a gun.

And we're talking about Greg Bovino's outerwear?

Why do we need the fucking Style Section to report on the appearance of fascism? This superficial bullshit is why guys like Bovino were put in charge to begin with.

lectricleopard@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 193d

Point is that they know they're nazis. They want to cry foul when you bring it up, but this is proof that they all know and the whining is disingenuous.

FuglyDuck@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 193d (1 reply)

The german media is basically straight up calling him a nazis.

Which he is a nazis.

UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 193d

Given the popularity of the AfD at the moment, I'm not sure what message that sends

AltMediaGuy@altmedia.house · 5 pts · 193d

It really looks intentional which makes you wonder what precisely the intentions are. It could be that Bovino just wants to LARP, or it could be a sign that State Department wants to ramp up tensions.

GuyFawkesV@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 192d

Well they ARE the experts

grimpy@lemmy.myserv.one · 1 pts · 192d

probably time to revisit ‘The Overcoat’ by Gogol

Bonesince1997@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 192d

Well, the United States does have a Nazi problem. They like to shout things like Make America Great Again and wear red hats, kinda like armbands.