Polish author Jakub Żulczyk told Gazeta.pl that he is finished being questioned about his 2020 insult of President Andrzej Duda, and that the new president has strong potential.
Background of the 2020 Incident
In 2020, after President Andrzej Duda failed to congratulate U.S. President Joe Biden on his presidential election victory, Žulczyk posted on social media calling Duda a “dumb.” The statement was a public insult of a head of state, an offence pursued by the Polish authorities, resulting in a court case that lasted several years. Žulczyk was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.
Žulczyk’s Current Stance on the Matter
During a recent interview with Małgorzata Rozenek‑Majdan on the Gazeta.pl podcast “Z bliska,” Žulczyk said unlike Duda who no longer holds office, he will not be asked about the incident again. He praised the new president, describing him as a young and capable leader who can do much good.
Reflections and Other Projects
Žulczyk explained that he never faced a serious prison sentence or formal punishment; the incident was framed as a matter of honour and he declined to apologise. He described the experience as a catalyst for writing his novel “Kandydat,” which he is very proud of, and noted that the controversy drove him to transform adversity into a positive output. He also mentioned purchasing an autobiography of Andrzej Duda, which he keeps in a blue book that resembles a hotel bible, though he has not yet read it. In the same episode, the hosts discussed the book “Co ćpać po odwyku,” touching on addiction, sobriety, and post‑recovery life.
