Böhmermann allegations
Oktoberfest tent operator clarifies information about bubbly party with Krah
AfD politician Maximilian Krah: Oktoberfest dispute with Jan Böhmermann
© Michael Kappeler / DPA
The AfD man Maximilian Krah had a bizarre argument with Jan Böhmermann. Now a witness tells what it really was like.
In the public dispute between the satirist Jan Böhmermann and the AfD MEP Maximilian Krah has now also spoken personally to Wiesn host Michael Käfer for the first time. In his podcast “Fest und Fluschig”, Böhmermann quoted an anonymous witness who had observed Krah in the renowned beetle tent at the Oktoberfest.
According to the witness, Krah wanted to order 200 bottles of champagne as a local round, which Oktoberfest host Käfer prevented by himself by canceling it. According to Böhmermann’s description, Käfer then had “love and peace music” played as a note of protest against Krah’s presence. In addition, there were boos and finger gestures towards Maximilian Krah from other guests.
Opposite star and RTL, Maximilian Krah and a spokeswoman for Michael Käfer initially denied the descriptions in Böhmermann’s podcast. Krah was on site, but there was no champagne order from him or a cancellation from Michael Käfer, the Käfer spokeswoman confirmed.
Beetle corrects his speaker’s description
Beetle now partially corrects this description and speaks to him star and RTL for the first time detailed information about the incident, which sparked a debate on social networks about Jan Böhmermann’s credibility.
Michael Käfer now describes the situation at the Oktoberfest on September 28th, 2024 differently. Accordingly, a guest in the Käfer tent that evening pointed out to him that Maximilian Krah would be celebrating in the tent. Jan Böhmermann also reported this in his podcast.
According to his own account, Käfer then noticed Maximilian Krah and observed the goings-on around the AfD politician. Käfer then instructed his band to play different music. “The guest who drew my attention to Mr. Krah asked me whether the band could make particularly positive music. I obliged,” reports the Oktoberfest host.
According to research by star and RTL sat at a table with guests from Frankfurt. A large order of champagne came from this table, but Käfer did not cancel it. Upon request, Maximilian Krah also personally confirmed that a large order of champagne came from his table in the Käfer tent.
Around 50 instead of 200 bottles of champagne
However, Krah personally has ““I didn’t order 200 bottles or 150,” says Käfer star and RTL. People who are also familiar with the incident in the tent report that the order was said to have been around 50 bottles.
This is where Jan Böhmermann’s initial presentation, who speaks of 200 bottles of champagne in the podcast, differs. The ordered bottles are said to have been offered by the guests around Maximilian Krah to be consumed by the service staff of the Käfer tent as a friendly gesture.
Open questions remain about Böhmermann’s statements
It is still unclear whether the AfD politician was booed in the Käfer tent. Böhmermann reported this in the podcast with reference to his anonymous witness. Beetle says star and RTL said: “I didn’t see or hear anything about tumult, excitement, booing or finger-wagging.” When asked, Maximilian Krah personally denied that there were boos against him. Instead, some “young guests” wanted to take photos with the AfD politician. The AfD politician reports that there was no aggression from the guests from Krah’s environment.
It remains questionable how carefully Jan Böhmermann checked the incident before publishing it in the podcast. According to Michael Käfer, the presenter had not contacted the Oktoberfest host before the first broadcast in order to check the reports of his anonymous witness. However, the moderator later revised the podcast episode and the statement from Maximilian Krah star and RTL as well as the statements of Käfer’s spokeswoman were subsequently quoted.
Incidentally, Krah only claims to have tasted a little of the fine sparkling wine that evening. He reports that he only drank half a glass.