Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke has quietly removed one of his most incendiary Instagram videos—an unhinged tirade that many labelled misogynistic after he targeted Launceston Councillor Andrea Dawkins with violent insults and gendered abuse.
In the now-deleted clip, Radke called Dawkins a ‘moon face ct’ and a ‘bch’, mocking her appearance and accusing her of using his name for political clout. The post drew sharp criticism online, with fans and locals alike calling it disgraceful and crossing the line from controversial to outright abusive.
The deletion comes shortly after Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood issued a public statement distancing himself from Radke’s behaviour, saying he was ‘alarmed’ by threats toward councillors and ‘does not condone violence or threats against anyone.’ While Garwood initially posed for a photo with Radke backstage at the Falling in Reverse Adelaide show, he’s since walked that back, claiming the posts were entirely Radke’s doing and not reflective of his own views.
In a newer video posted after the mayor’s statement, Radke seemed to pivot—urging fans to stop making violent threats, calling his campaign against the council a ‘peaceful protest’, and accusing officials of using him as a political pawn. He also claimed to have sent a cease and desist to the Launceston City Council and threatened to sue for defamation, though no formal legal filings have been confirmed.
A week of chaos
The storm began when a backstage photo of Garwood and Radke was posted to social media. It triggered backlash from councillors, including Dawkins, who criticised the mayor’s decision to meet with a figure as divisive as Radke. In response, Radke launched a barrage of Instagram videos—naming individual councillors, mocking their appearance, and lashing out over what he perceived as defamation.
The video targeting Dawkins was arguably the ugliest, prompting widespread outrage and a formal report to Tasmania Police by at least one councillor. Its removal now appears to be an attempt to reel things back—but not before it did serious reputational damage.
Radke’s Australian tour is over, but the mess it’s left behind—politically and socially—continues to unravel. Whether any legal action comes of this remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: the line between artist and agitator has never looked blurrier.
Watch the deleted video:
The following clip is the original Instagram video Ronnie Radke has since removed, after widespread backlash and accusations of misogyny.
⚠️ Content Warning:
This video contains explicit language, misogynistic slurs, and targeted abuse. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
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