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'You never went to space': Watch the awkward moment a conspiracy theorist confronts NASA's Artemis II crew - telling them to 'stop acting'
UK DAILY MAIL ^ | 05/22/2026 | William Hunter

Posted on 05/22/2026 4:43:08 AM PDT by DFG

Millions watched in awe earlier this year as NASA's Artemis II crew completed a daring trip around the moon – but it seems not everyone was convinced.

A viral video has captured the painfully awkward moment a conspiracy theorist accosted the astronauts on Capitol Hill.

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen were confronted by an aggressive man who accused them of faking the moon mission.

'Stop lying! Stop acting! You all never went to space,' the man shouted as he filmed himself approaching the crew.

The befuddled crew simply stood in uncomfortable silence as the man berated them, apparently trying their best to pretend he wasn't there.

The man continued: 'Follow Jesus! God's watching you all!'

As Glover smiled and gave an uneasy wave, he went on: 'Stop lying to the public! Your psyop isn't working on millions of us! NASA's a joke!'

The Artemis II crew were hastily ushered away, yet the pursuing conspiracy theorist continued to hurl abuse, adding: 'Repent before God, y'all! I see through your lies! I know you never went to space! God's watching you all!'

The tense encounter was reminiscent of a similar run–in between Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and the moon–landing denier Bart Sibrel in 2002.

Mr Aldrin, who was 72 at the time, ended that particular argument by punching Mr Sibrel in the face.

However, the Artemis II crew managed to keep cooler heads during their altercation with the conspiracy theorist.

On X, space fans praised the astronauts' composure, jokingly pointing out Christina Koch's rather confused expression.

One commenter wrote: 'Christina was too stunned to speak by this level of stupidness.'

Another added: 'She had to smile through that VEEERY awkward moment.'

And another bluntly wrote: 'They're so polite, I'd smack him in the face.'

While the vast majority of social media users were shocked by the wild claims about fake space missions, a few internet–dwelling conspiracy theorists hailed this unknown individual as a hero.

'CALLING THEM OUT IN THE CAPITAL....100%' wrote one conspiracy account on X.

Another said: 'Artemis II astronauts being called liars to their faces. Love it.'

And one chimed in: 'We know!!!! How much did you guys get paid??? You are a mockery to the world!!!'

Thankfully, claims that the Artemis II mission was faked are easily debunked by the vast quantities of evidence collected by the crew.

NASA livestreamed the entire 10–day mission, and the astronauts collected an enormous trove of photos and scientific observations.

These included the discovery of new craters on the moon's far side and observations of meteor impacts taking place in real time.


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: aldrin; artemis; fauxiantroll; fauxiantrolls; moon; nasa; nutjob; whatshisfrnick
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Where is Buzz Aldrin when we need him.

1 posted on 05/22/2026 4:43:08 AM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

I would like to beat these “faked moon landing” conspiracy nuts to death with a moon rock.


2 posted on 05/22/2026 4:46:26 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: DFG

Wasn’t me.


3 posted on 05/22/2026 4:48:06 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: DFG

4 posted on 05/22/2026 4:49:22 AM PDT by equaviator (Nobody's perfect. That's why they put pencils on erasers!)
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To: DFG

These morons don’t get it. The astronauts don’t know they don’t go to space. They are given hallucinogenics once inside the cabin. The con wouldn’t work unless the astronauts actually believed it.


5 posted on 05/22/2026 4:50:14 AM PDT by HYPOCRACY (There is no gravity. The earth just sucks. )
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To: DFG

Those two astronauts that biden left up there for 286 days would have a thing or two to share with this lunatic.

These space deniers crack me up.

There’s been a couple of documentaries about ‘em.

Most live in the desert in a single wide trailer with 30 cats. Lol!


6 posted on 05/22/2026 4:51:46 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
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To: DFG

This has to be fake to make Christians look stupid.

“Follow Jesus?” Um, OK. Didn’t know He didn’t say don’t explore space. Must be in that new translation.


7 posted on 05/22/2026 4:53:08 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: DFG
Dude watched this too many times Capricorn-one
8 posted on 05/22/2026 4:57:17 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
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To: V_TWIN

Have you noticed it’s not just space flight that has deniers or conspiracies about it’s authenticity.

Just this morning on FR we had a person posting about a rigged election in the Thomas Massie defeat.

Any number of conspiracies have popped up about the Charlie Kirk assassination.

Just about every major event is now the subject of endless podcasts that everything was faked and it’s all part of some grand conspiracy.


9 posted on 05/22/2026 4:59:36 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: DFG

They don’t make them like Buzz anymore.


10 posted on 05/22/2026 5:04:35 AM PDT by GranTorino (Bloody Lips Save Ships)
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To: srmanuel

There’s people on FR that refuse to believe Tyler Robinson murdered Charlie Kirk.

And it’s not just couple either.

If I didn’t know better I’d say psychosis is at epidemic levels and as easy to catch as the common cold. SMH


11 posted on 05/22/2026 5:05:51 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
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To: srmanuel

“Any number of conspiracies have popped up about the Charlie Kirk assassination.”

Actually, the assassination of Kirk was a conspiracy. Meticulously planned out. They were trying to unravel it initially.


12 posted on 05/22/2026 5:06:14 AM PDT by odawg
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To: odawg

Please elucidate.


13 posted on 05/22/2026 5:07:19 AM PDT by OKSooner (I miss Quix. RIP)
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To: Sirius Lee

Ever beat your wife? Maybe cut back on your red meat consumption.


14 posted on 05/22/2026 5:10:44 AM PDT by Wilderness Conservative (Death to the DEATH TO AMERICA, Democrats.)
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To: V_TWIN

I don’t believe Kirk was killed with a 30.06. Wether Robinson pulled the trigger or not I do not know but I do know what a 30.06 does and that is not what hit Charlie.


15 posted on 05/22/2026 5:14:48 AM PDT by Wilderness Conservative (Death to the DEATH TO AMERICA, Democrats.)
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To: V_TWIN

That was a great documentary.


16 posted on 05/22/2026 5:15:48 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: TheThirdRuffian

“This has to be fake to make Christians look stupid.”

Maybe, but I think it’s more about this 👇

“A viral video...”

Everybody’s looking for “clicks” and “likes” these days and will do all kinds of stupid things to get ‘em.

Just one of a myriad of negatives brought to us by the digital age.

Im glad I lived my 1st 50 years without it.


17 posted on 05/22/2026 5:20:54 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
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To: V_TWIN

We’ve got a few moon landing deniers also.


18 posted on 05/22/2026 5:24:51 AM PDT by TangoLimaSierra (⭐⭐To the Left, the Truth is Right Wing Violence⭐⭐)
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To: DFG

Flakes, deniers and idiots used to be limited to mumbling to themselves and ranting on street corners but now, with the internet they have a larger voice and once in a while they actually get confrontational in public. Just ignore them, reality will wash them away like the tide.


19 posted on 05/22/2026 5:27:05 AM PDT by The Louiswu (USA FIRST...USA FOREVER)
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To: OKSooner

What you mean by elucidate? You think the assassination happened by mere chance, like an apple falling from a tree?


20 posted on 05/22/2026 5:32:09 AM PDT by odawg
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