Leni Riefenstahl's TikTok Comeback Sparks Outrage

Notorious Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl is somehow trending on TikTok, with Gen Z embracing her film techniques while completely missing the historical context. The late director's striking visual compositions have become the backbone of "aesthetic" edits, with teens using Triumph of the Will footage for outfit transitions and booktok setups. "I just think the angles are slay," commented one user under a video using Nuremberg rally footage to showcase thrifted sweaters. Holocaust educators are horrified but admit it's tough to compete with "this banger edit of literal fascism." The trend has sparked a bizarre culture war, with some arguing "separate the art from the artist," while others counter "maybe don't use the art that literally fueled genocide." Meanwhile, Riefenstahl's estate is cashing in, having licensed her footage to a sunglasses brand for an "iconic looks through history" campaign. The ADL has begun working with TikTok creators to develop "red flag" overlays that pop up when problematic visuals appear.