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Viral “Viking in Bathtub” Video Fleeing ICE Agents Debunked as AI-Generated Hoax
A viral video claiming to show a man in a Viking costume escaping U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in a wheeled bathtub has been confirmed as fake. The clip, which garnered millions of views across social media platforms in January 2026, was created using advanced artificial intelligence technology.
The fabricated footage first appeared on January 15, approximately one week after ICE agents fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Good. A network of social media accounts operating under the name “Strange AI” or “@RealStrangeAI” published the video across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The video featured news-style graphics and a chyron reading “Police Chase: Bathtub Viking. 15 ICE agents in pursuit. Protester at large.” It quickly spread beyond the original accounts, even fooling some prominent figures. Neera Tanden, a former domestic policy adviser in the Biden administration, shared the clip before later deleting it after realizing it was inauthentic.
“I thought it was an authentic video similar to footage taken of ICE personnel tackling someone in an animal costume,” Tanden explained via email. She referenced a genuine incident that had circulated following Good’s shooting, showing Department of Homeland Security police detaining a man dancing in a fox costume.
Multiple indicators revealed the video’s artificial nature. The account manager behind Strange AI confirmed via email that they created the clip using OpenAI’s Sora 2 AI tool. Furthermore, the network’s social media accounts clearly labeled their content as AI-generated in their bios and descriptions, with the YouTube caption twice using the word “parody.”
Technical inconsistencies further exposed the fabrication. The Viking’s bathtub showed no realistic means of acceleration, steering, or braking. The supposed ICE agents wore non-standard uniforms, and the chyron featured a fictional TV network named “POVART” with the implausible time stamp “4:06 PHM” instead of “4:06 p.m.” Some agents mysteriously gained batons in their hands by the end of the clip that weren’t visible at the beginning.
The video emerged amid heightened tensions following the January 7 shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, an incident that sparked significant protests and community outcry in Minneapolis. The timing likely contributed to the clip’s rapid spread, as it played into existing narratives around immigration enforcement activities in the region.
This incident highlights the increasing challenge of distinguishing between authentic and AI-generated content. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the potential for misleading videos to spread quickly before being debunked presents growing concerns for news literacy and public discourse.
The Strange AI network has produced numerous other fabricated scenarios featuring ICE agents, including clips showing them pursuing individuals in animal costumes and chasing an elderly woman. While these videos are labeled as AI-generated on their original platforms, such disclaimers often get lost when content is shared across different social media channels.
This case serves as a reminder for social media users to carefully verify sources and examine visual content critically before sharing, especially during periods of heightened social and political tension when misinformation can spread particularly quickly.
The incident also comes months after ICE faced scrutiny for detaining Christina Rank, a special education classroom assistant, following a confrontation in a Minneapolis suburb parking lot, further highlighting ongoing controversies surrounding immigration enforcement actions in the region.
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10 Comments
This ‘Bathtub Viking’ video is a prime example of how AI can be misused to create convincing but entirely fabricated content. I appreciate the thorough investigation to expose it as a hoax. We need more diligence in identifying these types of manipulated media.
Wow, I can’t believe the ‘Bathtub Viking’ video was completely fabricated using AI technology. It just goes to show how sophisticated these kinds of hoaxes are becoming. Kudos to the authorities for investigating and debunking this one.
Excellent fact check on the ‘Bathtub Viking’ video. It’s alarming to see how quickly AI-driven misinformation can spread, even fooling some public figures. Rigorous investigation and debunking efforts like this are crucial to combating the proliferation of fake content.
Interesting fact check on the ‘Bathtub Viking’ video. It’s concerning to see how AI-generated hoaxes can spread so quickly on social media these days. Glad the authorities were able to debunk this one before it caused too much confusion.
Wow, the ‘Bathtub Viking’ video really was a complete hoax. It’s impressive how advanced AI technology has become in creating these kinds of convincing but fabricated scenarios. Thanks for the thorough investigation and debunking – it’s an important lesson on the need for media literacy.
This is a really fascinating case study on the rise of AI-generated hoaxes. The ‘Bathtub Viking’ video seemed so absurd, yet it still managed to gain traction online. I appreciate the Disinformation Commission’s work in debunking this kind of manipulated content.
Thanks for the update on this viral video. It’s a good reminder to be cautious about content we see online, especially anything that seems too wild to be true. Fact-checking is so important to counter the rise of misinformation.
Fascinating case study on the proliferation of AI-generated misinformation. The ‘Bathtub Viking’ video seems like an elaborate ruse, but I’m glad the authorities were able to get to the bottom of it. Fact-checking is crucial in the digital age.
I agree, the speed at which this hoax spread is alarming. It just goes to show how easily misinformation can take hold online, even among prominent figures. Rigorous fact-checking is the best defense against these types of AI-driven deceptions.
The ‘Bathtub Viking’ video is a concerning example of the misinformation that can be generated and spread through AI. I’m glad the Disinformation Commission took the time to thoroughly investigate and expose it as a hoax. We need more of this type of diligent fact-checking.