Felix Baumgartner

In a public exchange concerning footballer Alisha Lehmann and equal pay, Baumgartner argued that women's football did not generate the same revenue or audience as men's football and expressed his criticism in terms considered sexist by many commentators.

State of the evidence

public remarks and media reactions documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings

Attribution

personal responsibility for his remarks

Baumgartner repeatedly rejected or minimised the consensus on climate change, attacked Greta Thunberg and described some activists as "eco-fascists". In 2024, he also targeted ORF meteorologist Marcus Wadsak, referring to a "climate lie" and calling him a "clown", prompting a public response from ORF.

State of the evidence

posts and public controversies documented; official ORF response in 2024

Legal status — source text

no judicial conviction identified in relation to this incident

Attribution

personal responsibility for his remarks

After accusing Falter editor-in-chief Florian Klenk of spreading false information in the debate over Covid vaccines, Baumgartner was found guilty of defamation at first instance and ordered to pay 5,000 euros in compensation and publish the judgment.

State of the evidence

first-instance judgment documented

Legal status — source text

non-final conviction in April 2024 with 5,000 euros in compensation according to ORF and the press; final status not established in the sources reviewed

Attribution

personal responsibility according to the first-instance judgment, subject to its non-final status

During the pandemic, Baumgartner publicly opposed mask mandates and compulsory vaccination and circulated strong criticism of public health measures. These positions reinforced his public image as a media figure close to anti-restriction groups.

State of the evidence

public positions reported by several media outlets

Legal status — source text

no personal judicial conviction identified for these opinions

Attribution

personal responsibility for his statements

During a dispute with satirist Jan Böhmermann, Baumgartner insulted him in particularly crude terms on Facebook, attacked his father and referred to the Osmanen Germania motorcycle group. The post was subsequently deleted.

State of the evidence

Facebook post and media coverage documented

Legal status — source text

no judicial decision identified in the sources reviewed concerning these remarks

Attribution

personal responsibility for the published insults

After journalist Corinna Milborn criticised a Palmers advertising campaign considered sexist, Baumgartner personally attacked her on Facebook, particularly regarding her appearance and weight. The incident was widely denounced as sexist and earned him a negative distinction from the Austrian feminist movement.

State of the evidence

posts and public reactions documented

Legal status — source text

no judicial conviction identified in relation to this incident

Attribution

personal responsibility for his remarks

Baumgartner publicly criticised Austria's tax burden and indicated that the tax authorities had contributed to his decision to move to Switzerland. This explanation fuelled controversy over the tax contributions of celebrities and high earners.

State of the evidence

public statements about his residence and taxation documented

Legal status — source text

no allegation of tax evasion established in the sources reviewed

Attribution

personal responsibility for his statements and choice of residence

Baumgartner denounced European migration policy, raised the risk of a transformation of European identity and culture, and proposed Viktor Orbán for the Nobel Peace Prize. His messages were criticised as nationalist or close to radical-right rhetoric.

State of the evidence

Facebook posts and media reactions documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings identified in relation to this incident

Attribution

personal responsibility for his remarks

Baumgartner claimed that democracies did not allow sufficient progress and raised the idea of a "moderate dictatorship" led by figures from the private sector. These remarks sparked considerable debate in Austria and Germany.

State of the evidence

published remarks and subsequent clarification documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings

Attribution

personal responsibility for his statements

Following an altercation in Salzburg in 2010, Felix Baumgartner was prosecuted for striking a lorry driver. In 2012, the appellate court upheld a fine of 1,500 euros and rejected his claim of self-defence.

State of the evidence

conviction in Austria documented and upheld on appeal

Legal status — source text

final conviction resulting in a fine of 1,500 euros according to ORF; self-defence argument rejected

Attribution

personal responsibility for the sanctioned acts