Lieutenant Dan Faces Backlash for Using Racial Slur During First Kick Livestream
3 min read
Image via LieutenantDan/Kick
Lieutenant Dan, a viral TikTok sensation known for surviving Hurricane Milton on his boat off the Florida coast, has found himself embroiled in controversy after using the N-word during his first livestream on Kick. The clip, which quickly circulated on social media, has drawn widespread backlash and brought renewed attention to his troubled past.
Lieutenant Dan, whose real name is Joseph Malinowski, rose to online fame for his defiant stance against evacuating his boat during hurricanes, gaining a large following in the process. His fame eventually led to a deal with the livestreaming platform Kick, courtesy of Adin Ross, a popular streamer who had featured Lieutenant Dan on his own broadcasts multiple times. Ross even promised to get Dan a new boat, despite his criminal history.
However, Lieutenant Dan’s debut stream on the Stake-backed platform turned controversial after a clip of him using the racial slur went viral. In the now-infamous video, he can be heard saying:
“If you want to get back into my good graces, you have to take time. It’s gonna be a lot of work and energy, it’s going to be heard. Once I cut you off, you’re done nia. I’m sorry, you’re done.”
Lieutenant Dan really went live on Kick and ripping the N-word 😭 pic.twitter.com/tr7OHPMHlw
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 11, 2024Advertisement
Viewers React to Lieutenant Dan’s Use of the N-Word
The viral clip of Lieutenant Dan’s offensive language quickly sparked outrage among viewers and netizens. Many were not only shocked by his use of the slur but also how casually it was said. One user on X (formerly Twitter), @suayrez, commented, “Bro said that so casually.”
The backlash didn’t end there. Many netizens began pointing to Lieutenant Dan’s criminal history, with some noting that his behavior wasn’t entirely surprising given his past. One user, @Factsboiintown, shared a collage of his mugshots and wrote, “He’s got like 50 mugshots, nobody’s surprised.”
He’s got like 50 mugshots nobody’s surprised 😂 pic.twitter.com/TBxnLdBNtt
— FACTSBOII (@Factsbointown) October 11, 2024
Why y’all forcing this buddies content so hard. All bro did was stay on a boat. Nobody’s care about him
— Dana White’s personal butler (@tacofriedsoup) October 11, 2024
Lieutenant Dan’s Criminal Past Resurfaces
As Lieutenant Dan’s controversy continued to grow, his troubled past also came back into the spotlight. Joseph Malinowski, aged 53, has had numerous run-ins with the law. While much of his criminal record is tied to his defiance regarding his boat, more serious offenses have also emerged. These include a year-long jail sentence for assaulting a police officer, as well as other charges of assault and battery.
His rise to fame on TikTok had previously been somewhat marred by these details, but the recent controversy has only served to bring his history back into the conversation. Netizens have been quick to remind others of his criminal past, further fueling the backlash.
Bro said that so casually 💀 pic.twitter.com/keTs8K9Yjm
— SUAREZ (@suayrez) October 11, 2024
Bro didn’t last one day 😭😭
— 𝐔𝐙𝐈 🩸 (@blvckkgrip) October 11, 2024
What’s Next for Lieutenant Dan?
Despite the uproar, Lieutenant Dan’s Kick channel remains active, boasting over 3,000 followers. As of now, it seems the platform has not taken any action against him, despite the widespread criticism. Since this is his first major offense on Kick, some speculate that the platform may allow him to continue streaming without penalty.
However, for many viewers, the damage to Lieutenant Dan’s reputation as a content creator may already be done. One user, @royal_bobby24, summed up the situation by saying, “And just like that, we have reached the end.”
It remains to be seen whether Kick will take further action or if Lieutenant Dan will address the controversy directly. For now, his future as an online personality hangs in the balance as the backlash over his use of the racial slur continues to grow.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
