Highlights
- The daughter fears viral fame could lead to Joseph’s early death.
- “Lieutenant Dan” became famous for defying evacuation during Hurricane Milton.
- Influencers raised over $46,000 for Joseph, raising concerns about enabling drug use.
- Ashley Malinowski pleads for donations to stop, fearing for her father’s safety.
- Joseph has a long history of arrests and struggles with addiction.
Ashley Ann Malinowski, daughter of Joseph Malinowski, better known as “Lieutenant Dan,” fears that her father’s sudden fame and money after surviving Hurricane Milton might be doing more harm than good.
Joseph, who gained internet fame for refusing to leave his sailboat ahead of the hurricane, is now the subject of attention and donations from online influencers.
Ashley says this could lead him into deeper drug addiction, putting his life at risk.
Joseph, a one-legged sailor from Tampa, became a viral sensation when he refused to evacuate during Hurricane Milton. He defiantly stayed on his boat despite warnings from local authorities.
Dubbed “Lieutenant Dan” after the character from Forrest Gump, his story was broadcast on major networks like CNN and The Weather Channel, gaining millions of views on TikTok.
Also Read: Who is “Lieutenant Dan”? Tampa Survives Two Hurricanes, Gains Viral Fame on TikTok
Ashley expressed her concerns in a passionate video, pleading with influencers and donors to stop sending money to her father.
She believes the donations, which have reached over $46,000 via GoFundMe, are enabling Joseph’s drug use. “He was doing just fine without all that money,” Ashley said, highlighting how the sudden windfall had worsened his condition. “He’s gonna be dead before he can even enjoy that boat,” she warned.
Influencers Fueling Dangerous Behavior
The newfound fame began when popular TikTokker “Tampa” Terrence Concannon featured Joseph in a live stream, where he challenged Hurricane Helene, declaring “Come get me!”
This video alone reached over 2.1 million views. While it may have seemed lighthearted, Ashley views it differently, saying the influencers “don’t know what they’re doing” and are using her father for likes and views rather than genuinely helping him.
Concannon even set up a fundraiser, raising money for Joseph to buy a larger boat. On top of that, famous Twitch streamer Adin Rossn offered Joseph a deal to stream on the platform Kick, promising up to $100,000.
However, Ashley sees these offers as contributing to her father’s self-destructive behavior.
A Troubled Past Resurfaces
Joseph Malinowski, who lives on his boat in Tampa Bay, rode out Hurricane Milton despite the risks, refusing to leave even when urged by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
After the storm, he was found on his boat, unharmed but still defiant. Ashley said she has been worried about her father’s drug use for over a decade, adding that the attention and money are only making things worse.
Joseph’s past is also drawing attention. Court records show he has a history of arrests dating back to 2006, including charges for drug possession, attempted breaking, and aggravated battery.
Ashley, fighting back tears in her video, criticized influencers for exploiting her father. “Nobody cares about him,” she said, warning that this fame could lead him to an early grave.
