One Nation Dumps Candidate Over Hitler Praise and Islamophobic Posts 2026

One Nation Victoria has disendorsed a candidate who praised Adolf Hitler as the “GOAT” and made Islamophobic comments on social media. The candidate, Franco Guardiani, was running for the seat of Preston in the upcoming Victorian election.

The party acted swiftly after being made aware of the posts on Tuesday morning, confirming they were authentic before removing him as a candidate.

What Did the Candidate Say?

In a now-deleted post on X, Guardiani replied to a prompt asking people to “Describe Hitler in one word? Be brutally honest” with the acronym GOAT, which stands for “greatest of all time.”

His account also contained several Islamophobic comments, including references to bulldozing or setting fire to mosques, and engaged with posts by the anti-immigrant group Knights Templar International.

Why One Nation Acted

The party’s Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, condemned the comments, stating: “At a time when Jewish Australians are experiencing unprecedented persecution, we are appalled that these comments have been made.”

Pickering emphasised that the party took immediate action once aware, saying, “As soon as we became aware, we acted. Preston candidate Franco Guardiani is no longer part of our party.” He added, “Anyone who holds such views is on notice: they do not have a place in One Nation.”

Vetting Questions Remain

It is unclear how Guardiani’s social media history went undetected during the candidate selection and vetting processes. This incident raises questions about the thoroughness of background checks for political candidates.

The party has not commented on whether vetting procedures will be reviewed. The background to this story is set out in One Nation Names Victorian Election Candidates, Bars ABC and. A related thread runs through Female Victorian MPs Face Violent Threats Before Election. Earlier coverage in Socialist Teachers Target Victorian Labor MPs in State Election shows how the argument developed.

Key Takeaways

• One Nation Victoria disendorsed Franco Guardiani after he praised Hitler as “GOAT” and made Islamophobic comments.
• The party acted quickly after being alerted to the posts on Tuesday morning.
• Victorian leader Warren Pickering condemned the comments and said such views have no place in the party.
• The incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of candidate vetting processes.
• Guardiani’s account also engaged with anti-immigrant groups and contained references to violence against mosques.

Comparison of Party Responses to Controversies

What This Means for the Victorian Election

The controversy could impact One Nation’s reputation in Victoria, particularly among voters concerned about extremism. The party will need to reassure supporters that its vetting processes are robust. A closer look at the same subject appears in Trump Islamophobic Rhetoric Surges as 2026 Midterms Loom Large. Anyone following the wider picture can start with El-Sayed Confronts Critics Head-On as Islamophobic Attacks Surge. The same theme surfaces in One Nation Threatens Nationals in Regional Victoria, which takes a different angle.

For Guardiani, the disendorsement ends his candidacy, but the broader conversation about social media conduct and political accountability continues. Context on how this played out before sits in Victorian Election: Cost Pressures Threaten Labor Heartland. A companion piece, Victorian Labor Puts Abortion Access on Election Agenda, approaches the same subject from another angle.

FAQ

The swift disendorsement of Franco Guardiani underscores the challenges political parties face in managing candidates’ online histories. As social media becomes increasingly scrutinized, parties must balance free speech with accountability. For One Nation, the focus now shifts to rebuilding trust and ensuring rigorous vetting for future candidates. This incident also highlights the broader issue of extremism in politics and the importance of upholding community standards.