“Rafał Trzaskowski had moments where he couldn’t cope, where he showed weakness, nervousness, frustration, and discouragement,” said Magdalena Rigamonti from Onet, summing up Trzaskowski’s appearance in the TVP (under liquidation) debate. In her opinion, Trzaskowski’s body language worked against him — “leaning back, frowning, sweat appearing on his face” — all contributed negatively to his image.
Trzaskowski’s underwhelming performance in the TVP debate
Rafał Trzaskowski likely won’t count Monday’s debate on TVP (in liquidation) as one of his successes. Even during the broadcast, some journalists generally sympathetic to the December 13 coalition criticized the vice-leader of Tusk’s team.
“Rafał Trzaskowski seemed oddly lethargic, like he had lockjaw. His messages didn’t come across, and his attacks on Karol Nawrocki lacked precision — he didn’t even mention the PiS candidate by name. Three wasted rounds for the Civic Coalition’s candidate,” – wrote Jacek Nizinkiewicz of Rzeczpospolita.
Jacek Harłukowicz from Onet also noted that the KO candidate looked “very tired” and that “it just wasn’t his day.” A similar view was shared by Magdalena Rigamonti.
Onet journalist critical of Trzaskowski: “He couldn’t handle it”
Opolska walczy, Rigamonti już wie⁉️🔥
— jachcy🇵🇱 (@jachcy) May 14, 2025
➡️„Trzaskowski sobie nie radził, pokazywał słabość, zdenerwowanie, w zasadzie zniechęcenie…”🙃
➡️Może on był po prostu zmęczony?🤡😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/xkAJI7kv80
When asked by Karolina Opolska from the now-dissolved TVP whether she agreed that “the debate won’t really change much,” Rigamonti disagreed.
“I actually think it might change things a little. Rafał Trzaskowski had moments where he was clearly struggling — showing weakness, irritation, anger, and disheartenment. It felt like: ‘I’m done with this campaign, I’m fed up with the people I have to run against — especially Karol Nawrocki, I wish he’d just leave me alone.’ The leaning back, staring, frowning, the sweat on his face — all of that worked against him,” – she commented.
Trying to defend Trzaskowski, the journalist from the illegally taken-over TVP asked, “Maybe he was just tired?”
Rigamonti replied, “They’re all tired.”
“But maybe not all equally intensely?” – Opolska pressed.
In response, Rigamonti pointed out that Mentzen, Nawrocki, and Hołownia are also running intense campaigns.
“You couldn’t see the fatigue on Hołownia. He answered all questions substantively, without dumb jokes. But with Trzaskowski, the discouragement was visible,” – she concluded.