Ohio GOP Candidate Faces Backlash After AI-Generated Hitler Comments Resurface Weeks Before Primary
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Republican gubernatorial candidate Casey Putsch is under fire after an August video resurfaced in which he asked artificial intelligence to list “good things” Adolf Hitler did. With Ohio’s May primary just weeks away, the controversial remarks have drawn sharp criticism, including a canceled campaign event at a local bakery.
Putsch, who is running against Vivek Ramaswamy and Heather Hill in the GOP primary, defended his campaign focus, stating his motivation stems from economic concerns rather than historical debates.
“My soul was burning—I had to stand up and offer another option,” Putsch told reporters. “I want manufacturing back in Ohio. We’re being taken advantage of through cheap foreign labor and unchecked data center expansions.”
Restaurant Cancels Event Over Nazi Remarks
The backlash intensified when La Chatelaine French Bakery and Bistro in Columbus abruptly canceled a scheduled meet-and-greet with Putsch. In a strongly worded Facebook post, the restaurant condemned “those who express pro-Nazi opinions and beliefs,” adding they “will not host individuals who oppose our values.”
The post referenced Putsch’s AI-generated Hitler remarks, stating, “After discovering his comments regarding Adolf Hitler, Nazis, and the Holocaust, we will not host him.”
Putsch claimed the cancellation was the result of outside pressure.
“It could be radical leftists, Vivek supporters, or even media stirring controversy,” he said. “People called the restaurant, threatened employees—it’s all about creating a buzz.”
The bakery’s owner declined further comment.
Campaign Moves to Park Amid Controversy
Following the cancellation, Putsch relocated his event to Goodale Park before moving to an undisclosed location. He expressed frustration over the scrutiny, emphasizing his long-standing patronage at the bakery.
“I’ve been a customer there for 30 years,” he said. “This isn’t about me—it’s about political smears.”
When pressed on his views regarding Nazi Germany, Putsch dismissed the discussion as irrelevant.
“People need to stop dragging 100-year-old European history into American politics,” he said. “My family came from Bavaria in the late 1800s. What I’m fighting for in Ohio has nothing to do with Hitler or Nazi Germany.”
Political Fallout Ahead of Primary
With the May primary approaching, the controversy threatens to overshadow Putsch’s campaign. Political analysts suggest the remarks could alienate moderate Republicans and independents, while his opponents may seize on the backlash.
For now, Putsch remains focused on his economic message, but the resurfaced video ensures the debate over his candidacy will persist in the final stretch before Election Day.
— Reported by Nexio News
