'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

[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.

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TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: aldrin; artemis; fauxiantroll; fauxiantrolls; moon; nasa; nutjob; qvirus; whatshisfrnick

[Wilderness Conservative]

Actually, Rock Boy, I have a Tomahawk thawing for the grill tonight. Does your Mrs prefer her steak over the black eye you gave her?

[jonrick46]

I worked in the photo lab that processed the films of the moon landing. My co-worker brought home a stack of those 5” X 5” photos taken with a Hasselblad. There was nothing fake about them. Of course she returned them back to the lab.

[DugwayDuke]

Wilderness Conservative wrote: “You want my resume? GFY!”

You made a claim, now tells us what authority you have to support that claim. Based upon your response, none.

[Boiler Plate]

Never argue with a fool... - Mark Twain

[Sirius Lee]

Does your Mrs prefer her steak over the black eye you gave her?

LOL! Look at you with your outright slander.

[Boiler Plate]

Were you alive in 1969? How do you know what technology we had?

[Reily]

At some university physics departments it’s an advanced physics lab (If they have the optics available. ) to hit those reflectors with a laser and get a return.

I guess Mad Mo put them there when flew to the moon on his horse or was it a cow? ... cow jumped over the moon.

[libertylover]

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

I didn't think you (odawg) could either.

[GMThrust]

I think OKsooner was asking for evidence that more than one person was involved, you know, the definition of conspiracy.

[V_TWIN]

I guess you’re too lazy to read the comments right in this thread

[Flaming Conservative]

I am appalled at the viciousness of some of the replies on this thread. If it weren’t a conspiracy theory, I’d say someone has adulterated the US water supply with some sort of chemical that causes unprovoked rage.

[T.B. Yoits]

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.

Apparently the Mauser Gewehr 98 rifle the shooter used was from his grandfather. It's not a stretch to assume the ammunition was also. I've seen old ammo that didn't completely ignite the powder.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Oh C’mon. Nobody outside of FR believes it. 😆

[Georgia Girl 2]

Totally agree. We have a 30.06 and that round did not kill Charlie Kirk. 100 special forces snipers agree. Somebody killed Charlie Kirk but it wasn’t a 30.06.

[Irenic]

heh...
I can’t understand why people think it was fake. It’s not like there aren’t countries that would love too pull our britches down and expose us to the whole world.

[Angelino97]

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

Many people claim that Biden's 2020 win was rigged ... oh, wait.

[left that other site]

Maybe he thought he was speaking to Katie Perry! :-)🥸

[55Ford]

Ouch!

[ansel12]

“”””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.””””

Wouldn’t the super secret government professional killers and their department that does all these top level assassinations know things about the basic guns that they are career experts in and study, and use, and know just about everything about camera angles and autopsies and wounds and so on?

[Reily]

Exactly!

The Russians, the Chinese and now the Indians have all imaged those landing sites. The lower stage of the LEMs & rock scorches from landing\leaving are clearly seen!