Abor & Tynna, Germany’s Eurovision 2025 representatives, face public backlash after old posts and a public apology. following the impact, public debate, and musical context.
Germany is in turmoil as sibling duo Abor & Tynna, chosen to represent the country with the song “Baller” at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, find themselves at the heart of a public scandal. Old social media posts by Abor, in which he expressed views considered homophobic and voiced support for controversial leaders, have come to light. Abor has since issued a public apology, yet the duo continues to top German airplay charts during one of the most tumultuous Eurovision seasons in recent memory.
Abor’s Reddit account, which he used for over three years, was deleted amid the uproar caused by his previous posts. Around three years ago, Abor wrote in a post that:
“Pride is a negative trait that leads to discrimination and oppression, whether it concerns race, gender, or group identity such as the LGBTQ community”.
Equating collective pride among marginalized groups to claims of racial superiority. Additionally, Abor faced criticism for reposting TikTok videos praising Donald Trump. Responding to the controversy, he wrote on his Discord channel:
“Yes, the TikTok reposts are mine, I’ve already removed them. I’m a bit ashamed of how brash I was. And I don’t think that’s something role models should be reposting! I also saw things on Reddit, but that’s really not me, and I couldn’t find the account when I tried to check. I’ll try to resolve any concerns as soon as possible!”
Political and Cultural Fallout: Eurovision, Identity, and Public Discourse
The storm surrounding Abor & Tynna erupts amid a season marked by heightened political and social tensions at Eurovision 2025. This year, more than ever, the contest has become a battleground for clashes between liberal values, freedom of expression, and identity politics – issues such as diversity, acceptance, and gender empowerment are recurring themes in both the songs and public debates. Despite efforts by the EBU to maintain political neutrality, the stage is far from free of political messages. The reactions to Abor & Tynna vividly illustrate the tension between freedom of expression and public responsibility. Eurovision fans are divided: some believe artists have the right to change and apologize, while others argue that the damage has been done and trust eroded.
Despite a rocky start in the German pre-selection and harsh criticism of Tynna’s vocal performance, the song became a surprise hit, winning over the public and securing Germany a 15th-place finish in the final. From my experience, watching rehearsals in Basel underscored the significant investment made in upgrading the performance – a move that successfully boosted morale around the German entry. The Abor & Tynna controversy is part of a broader trend of political clashes at this year’s contest: calls to boycott Israel, pro-Palestinian protests, and disputes over the voting system have all turned Eurovision 2025 into a microcosm of contemporary Europe. At the same time, the success of “Baller” and the enthusiastic response on social media highlight Eurovision’s power to spark cross-border cultural dialogue – even in times of crisis.
Commentary: Responsibility, Change, and the Power of the European Stage
Abor’s apology, supported by his sister Tynna and backed by the German broadcaster NDR, marks a genuine attempt at rebuilding trust – but also underscores the challenge of transitioning from musical success to public accountability. The audience dynamic this year, which showed surprising support for Israel amid political pressures, demonstrates how public voting often reflects values of inclusion and diversity. Given Germany’s recent Eurovision history – a country that has struggled to break through in recent years – the choice of an innovative duo, coupled with openly addressing past mistakes, may signal a new direction.
Is an apology enough to restore public trust? According to Eurovision fans, the true test will be in Abor & Tynna’s future conduct—both on and off stage. One thing is certain: Eurovision 2025 will be remembered as one of the most turbulent and talked-about contests, where music, politics, and European society converged at a boiling point.
Germany at Eurovision 2025:
“Baller” (in English: “Shooter”) is the song performed by the duo Abor & Tynna, who represented Germany at Eurovision 2025. The duo finished 15th in the grand final with 151 points, placing 11th in the public vote and 13th with the jury.
This marks the second consecutive year that Germany has achieved relative success and avoided the bottom of the leaderboard, following singer Isaak’s 12th-place finish last year with the song “Always on the Run”.
Eurovision 2025: This was Germany’s 68th participation in Eurovision. Germany joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won twice over the years. Germany’s last victory was in Eurovision 2010 with the song “Satellite” performed by singer Lena Meyer-Landrut.
