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Swede

(39,971 posts)
Mon May 11, 2026, 09:22 AM 5 hrs ago

After 'MAGA influencer' trolls gay couple with baby, support grows for dad who threw punches

What a shock, the troll is a Trump supporter.

For the nine years they’ve been together, Anthony and David Vulin saw West Hollywood as their safe space.

They had their first date at a Mexican restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard and eventually moved in together at a nearby apartment in the famously inclusive city. Married in 2022, the couple recently welcomed their first child, Ante, into the world.

So when a stranger approached them on a walk with their newborn on April 16, they said they felt perfectly comfortable answering a few questions from someone who claimed to be with CNN. It didn’t take long, they said, to realize something was off.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/after-maga-influencer-trolls-gay-couple-with-baby-support-grows-for-dad-who-threw-punches/

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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After 'MAGA influencer' trolls gay couple with baby, support grows for dad who threw punches (Original Post) Swede 5 hrs ago OP
Neimi was cruising for a brusing. marble falls 5 hrs ago #1
To the extent that I wonder what the "fighting words" defense is, if there is one in Cali. prodigitalson 4 hrs ago #3
"Fighting words" generally are not a defense to a physical assault onenote 4 hrs ago #12
Trump, our Christo Fascist Evangelicals, Fox News, and just dumb ass mouth breathing idiots make this ... Botany 5 hrs ago #2
Before anyone says they shouldn't have followed him...it could hurt his defense if charged prodigitalson 4 hrs ago #4
Jury of peers in Superior Court of LA? haele 4 hrs ago #6
See post #12. onenote 4 hrs ago #13
"Have you ever heard about the statistics coming out that gay men are much more likely to commit child molestation?" Ray Bruns 4 hrs ago #5
"influencer" is the most worthless title you can give yourself RainCaster 4 hrs ago #7
Niemi is a tube of dog shit. n/t SpankMe 4 hrs ago #8
So this 21 year-old screaming bigot, complete with posse, deliberately niyad 4 hrs ago #9
If I lived there, and assuming it actually went to trial, I would have no niyad 4 hrs ago #10
I would have lost it and did much worse Johnny2X2X 4 hrs ago #11
Niemi thought gays don't get physical azureblue 3 hrs ago #14
If this goes to trial, I can't imagine he would be convicted. LoisB 3 hrs ago #15
About damn time!!!! AverageOldGuy 3 hrs ago #16
I generally abhor violence, but it's the only language these bigots understand momta 3 hrs ago #17
One of my daughter's best friends is a gay guy she met in high school. patphil 3 hrs ago #18
There is the doctrine of using fighting words in common law. Jacson6 2 hrs ago #19
CA law somsai 2 hrs ago #20
You know what is weird AND twisted? Allowing known pedophiles to father their own children FakeNoose 2 hrs ago #21
Unfortunately, these shitwad "influencers" welcome the reaction flvegan 2 hrs ago #22

prodigitalson

(3,205 posts)
3. To the extent that I wonder what the "fighting words" defense is, if there is one in Cali.
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:07 AM
4 hrs ago

A stranger baiting you with child molester accusations as part of a racist trolling sure seems like the kind of thing that should be covered.

onenote

(46,219 posts)
12. "Fighting words" generally are not a defense to a physical assault
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:50 AM
4 hrs ago

The concept of "fighting words" in constitutional law is often misunderstood. Fighting words are a category of speech that is not protected by the constitution meaning that the government can punish one engaging in fighting words. It is a very narrow category of unprotected speech. And the fact that it can be punished by the government does not mean that it allows a private party to respond physically to a non-physical utterance of fighting words.

Botany

(77,776 posts)
2. Trump, our Christo Fascist Evangelicals, Fox News, and just dumb ass mouth breathing idiots make this ...
Mon May 11, 2026, 09:51 AM
5 hrs ago

.. possible. Look @ all the made up crap about the dangers of trans people or immigrants too.

Btw as a straight men I solved my “gay problem” years ago and it is I don’t have sex with men.

The picture @ this link is priceless.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/after-maga-influencer-trolls-gay-couple-with-baby-support-grows-for-dad-who-threw-punches/


Video of the incident shows the Vulins react angrily. David shoves Niemi. Moments later, the couple and at least one other man confronted him again a few blocks away, according to a video Niemi published to X. In the clip, Niemi questions if the baby is safe with his own parents; David is then seen punching Niemi in the head several times.

prodigitalson

(3,205 posts)
4. Before anyone says they shouldn't have followed him...it could hurt his defense if charged
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:14 AM
4 hrs ago

and 9 times out of 10 i might agree. But 1. those were fighting words (in the vernacular and maybe common law)

2. Guys like this need to be afraid, physically afraid of serious death or injury, to do shit like this.

I can't imagine he will be charged. If he is there is no way in hell he will be convicted.

haele

(15,568 posts)
6. Jury of peers in Superior Court of LA?
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:21 AM
4 hrs ago

Unless there was a waiting room full of of Evilangelicals that week in the jury room, he'll probably be acquitted due to the extreme provocation and perceived threat his "victim" presented

Ray Bruns

(6,673 posts)
5. "Have you ever heard about the statistics coming out that gay men are much more likely to commit child molestation?"
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:16 AM
4 hrs ago

Translation, “Here are some bullshit numbers I have pulled out of my ass because I hate gay people.”

RainCaster

(13,863 posts)
7. "influencer" is the most worthless title you can give yourself
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:26 AM
4 hrs ago

The very first job that should be turned over to AI. IMO there should be a bullshit tax paid by these people because of the nonsense they spew.

niyad

(133,815 posts)
9. So this 21 year-old screaming bigot, complete with posse, deliberately
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:33 AM
4 hrs ago

goes to West Hollywood to attack gay people, thinking he is untouchable? Also, I want documented, video evidence of his "$2,000 camera" being destroyed by Vulin, otherwise, it did not happen.

niyad

(133,815 posts)
10. If I lived there, and assuming it actually went to trial, I would have no
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:37 AM
4 hrs ago

problem being on that jury. I don't think there is a question on the standard juror form about despising bigots and assholes and "influencers".

Johnny2X2X

(24,399 posts)
11. I would have lost it and did much worse
Mon May 11, 2026, 10:41 AM
4 hrs ago

These people are sick and evil. I would have ripped one of his eyes out, that's what he deserved.

azureblue

(2,745 posts)
14. Niemi thought gays don't get physical
Mon May 11, 2026, 11:15 AM
3 hrs ago

Bad assumption, especially when they have a baby to protect. And David was reacting because he had been attacked in the past by bigots. I don't blame him a bit.

Many years ago, gay haters used to troll WH, jumping out of their cars and beating gay men who were just walking down the sidewalk. Then WH residents started walking in groups, and it didn't take long before a car load of bigots got their asses beat. And suddenly the attacks stopped. The WH gay community was simply protecting its own..

AverageOldGuy

(4,127 posts)
16. About damn time!!!!
Mon May 11, 2026, 11:31 AM
3 hrs ago

Quoted from the article:

Video of the incident shows the Vulins react angrily. David shoves Niemi. Moments later, the couple and at least one other man confronted him again a few blocks away, according to a video Niemi published to X. In the clip, Niemi questions if the baby is safe with his own parents; David is then seen punching Niemi in the head several times.


They should have pounded the pieceofshit into a pulp as a message to other "influencers."

momta

(4,198 posts)
17. I generally abhor violence, but it's the only language these bigots understand
Mon May 11, 2026, 11:38 AM
3 hrs ago

I'm remembering the protester who was being escorted out of a MAGA rally before the 2016 election, when someone stood up and sucker-punched him--and the crowd cheered.

patphil

(9,197 posts)
18. One of my daughter's best friends is a gay guy she met in high school.
Mon May 11, 2026, 11:49 AM
3 hrs ago

He's about as reasonable and responsible a guy as you'll ever meet. He married several years ago, and he and his husband adopted their second child about 1-2 years ago..
My daughter's opinion is they are two of the best parents she's ever known.
They're both doctors, living in Pennsylvania. Not only are their children safe with them, they'll grow up in a safe, loving environment.
There have been several studies that show that sexual orientation is not a driving force in child molestation.
It's a pathological condition; one where the molester is exerting control over the child, dominating the child through sexual assault. Sex is a means to an end here, and is totally separate from sexual orientation.

Jacson6

(2,166 posts)
19. There is the doctrine of using fighting words in common law.
Mon May 11, 2026, 12:04 PM
2 hrs ago

Walk up to a black man using a racist slur and he most likely will hit you. No jury would convict him.

somsai

(262 posts)
20. CA law
Mon May 11, 2026, 12:20 PM
2 hrs ago

Under PC 415(3), a prosecutor must prove that the words used were irected at a specific person:

The words must be aimed at an individual in a face-to-face encounter, not just shouted into a crowd or posted online.Inherently likely to provoke violence: The test is whether an average person in that specific context would be likely to respond with immediate physical violence.
A "Clear and Present Danger": There must be a high probability that the other person will erupt into violence immediately.
What Typically Counts (and What Doesn't)California courts have narrowed this category so significantly that many highly offensive acts do not qualify:
Not Fighting Words: Profanity used for emphasis, general political slogans (e.g., "F--- the Draft" in Cohen v. California), or criticism of government officials.
Likely Fighting Words: Personally abusive epithets or racial slurs directed at an individual while challenging them to a physical fight.The "Unusually Sensitive" Rule: If someone is unusually aggressive or sensitive and reacts violently to words that would not provoke an average person, the speaker is generally protected.
Civil ProtectionsEven if speech does not meet the criminal "fighting words" threshold, it may still violate California civil laws. The Ralph Act (Civil Code § 51.7) protects individuals from threats of violence based on protected characteristics (like race or religion), allowing victims to seek civil damages and restraining orders even if the government cannot prosecute the speech as a crime.Does your case involve law enforcement or a private dispute between individuals?AI responses may include mistakes. For legal advice, consult a professional. Learn more11 sitesThe Fighting Words Exception to the First AmendmentMar 11, 2026 — Similarly, in Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971), while reversing the defendant's conviction for disturbing the peace based o...North Carolina Criminal Law BlogHate Crimes | State of California - Department of JusticeThe U.S. Constitution allows hate speech as long as it does not interfere with the civil rights of others. While these acts are ce...State of California - Department of Justice (.gov)Fighting Words | Constitution Annotated | Library of CongressThe Court held that government may not punish profane, vulgar, or opprobrious words simply because they are offensive, but only if...Library of Congress – Constitution Annotated (.gov)Show all

Starting a physical altercation is dangerous and to be avoided. People get killed or end up arrested, or it goes on your record and can cause issues later. Also, violence is wrong.

FakeNoose

(42,265 posts)
21. You know what is weird AND twisted? Allowing known pedophiles to father their own children
Mon May 11, 2026, 12:27 PM
2 hrs ago

I say leave the gay parents alone and worry about the pedophiles who can't be trusted to care for their own children, or anyone else's.

flvegan

(66,489 posts)
22. Unfortunately, these shitwad "influencers" welcome the reaction
Mon May 11, 2026, 12:44 PM
2 hrs ago

it just makes for "content" for their idiot masses to consume, and thereby growing their reach, gaining followers, and further monetizing their accounts. It's what they want, regardless of physical injury. They don't learn any lessons from getting their asses kicked. The consequences are worth it to them.

I'm not blaming the true victim here (the baby's parents), just pointing this out. As I understand it, the moment you start singing a Disney song, the content is completely unusable lest the "influencer" wants to get demonetized and potentially sued.

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