Joe Laschet on TV: Why his father Armin remains a role model for him

Cologne. Fashion influencer Joe Laschet found the time of the federal election campaign with his father, Armin Laschet (CDU), around four years ago a burden. "We participated in a federal election campaign in 2021 with my father as a candidate, and it was truly very tough," Laschet told the German Press Agency. This phase was "no picnic" for the family. "We were suddenly very much in the public eye. I was also suddenly very much in the public eye," he reported.

"This election campaign period was certainly a strain," Laschet said. "I also took a lot of punishment. But we got through it well."

Joe Laschet is the son of Armin Laschet, former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia (2017-2021), Federal Chairman of the CDU (2021-2022), and the CDU's candidate for chancellor in the 2021 federal election, in which the SPD emerged as the strongest party. Olaf Scholz became chancellor – not Armin Laschet, whose political career suffered a setback.

Joe Laschet said his father was a role model for him. The reason: He always gets back up. "I also take that as inspiration for my life," he said. "If something doesn't go as hoped, then that's just how it is. Then you move on."

Joe Laschet himself has chosen a different career path. He is an influencer, blogger, and expert in classic men's fashion. He will soon also be seen in a television format – in the new season of the RTL show "The Traitors – Trust No One!" (April 29, 8:15 p.m., RTL). In it, celebrities play for a silver treasure in a castle. They must act very cleverly, forge alliances, bluff, and, if necessary, even lie.

For Joe Laschet, it's his first major television appearance. "Perhaps something new will develop from this. For me, it was a super cool opportunity," he told dpa.

RND/dpa