Joseph Malinowski, A.K.A. Lieutenant Dan, has quickly become an internet sensation, having refused to leave the spot where his sailboat was docked with Hurricane Milton approaching.
Lt. Dan braved the vicious conditions in his boat on Wednesday night and lived to tell the story. But he has also been accused of chasing internet clout, with X User Mena Ganey making a short clip in which she claims the disabled Tampa resident has used multiple names and raised over $20,000 off his antics.
The video below shows Ganey discussing Malinowski’s GoFundMe account, which has raised the aforementioned account, noting he spent a year in prison for beating an EMT.
She also shows a screenshot of a Facebook profile supposedly belonging to Malinowski, which lists him as a “Digital Creator,” stating that he purposely docked his boat in the most dangerous area in Tampa, although there were safer spots nearby and did accept the Mayor’s offer to relocate.
Lieutenant Dan is a digital creator who started a gofundme three weeks ago. He has four names: and was arrested for battering Leo/EMT with a violin. He’s already up to 20k and has accepted the mayors offer for shelter. I hate grifters. pic.twitter.com/utSkx55sN9
— Mena Ganey 🐇🐇 🪄 (@mena_ganey) October 9, 2024
Most of the comments were in Lt. Dan’s defense, with one user pointing out that the GoFundMe was always public knowledge and was created by someone else on Malinowski’s behalf.
“This lady in her million dollar home mad about a dude in a piece of crap dingy boat about to potentially die in a hurricane is wild,” a user wrote.
“Lieutenant Dan is on that sailboat = not grifting. The only grifter I see in the situation is YOU – exploiting him for clicks,” said another.
“Lol Dan risking his life for a little cheddar and online clout. Regardless I’m pulling for him. GET THAT BAG LIEUTENANT DAN. 💰💸💰” someone joked.
How about this…fuck you Mena Ganey. I’m thoroughly entertained by Lt. Dan. The guy never claimed to be homeless. I don’t give a fuck if he went to jail for beating up an EMT. The guy is riding out a catastrophic hurricane in a sail boat. It’s entertaining. We are all…
— Mother Fucker Jones (Charlie Heat Version) (@mfjones69_) October 9, 2024
Lieutenant Dan Has Most Of The Internet Behind Him
Another X user would highlight Lieutenant Dan’s criminal history, posting 14 different mugshots from various arrests.
However, they did point out that most of the arrests were a result of the amputee failing to appear in court.
“Yall gotta use your noggins. He had one singular drug charge on here from 2019, other than that dudes been caught in traffic violations left and right,” they added.
Lieutenant Dan’s 14 mugshots go crazy. Bro is a menace. pic.twitter.com/Fp5H5peTAB
— mikk 🙃 (@MikMilks_) October 10, 2024
Another account posted a snippet from a report claiming Joseph John Malinowski was convicted on kidnapping and rape charges in 2004. That one has since been debunked in the Community Notes, as the piece refers to a different John Malinowski.
It has also since been deleted.
Everyone’s riding with Lieutenant Dan, it appears.
