This “Racist” Elevator Encounter Went Insanely Viral. One Problem: It’s Fake.

A video of an alleged Macy’s manager firing an employee for operating on “black time” in an elevator went mega-viral on multiple Internet platforms. Come to find out, it’s been proven fake according to Macy’s itself. Why do we keep falling for these fake videos? Let’s talk about it.
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[@TransientMonkey]

There's not a SINGLE manager worth his salt in the world who would have that conversation in an elevator surrounded by customers.

[@Beleverorig]

Exactly, a manager would never fire someone in the elevator and cause a scene in front of customers. EDIT...unless the manager wanted to get fired too lol.

[@BFG_10G]

Don't expect the internet to have that level of intelligence.

[@TransientMonkey]

@@Beleverorig 💯

[@elenajewel3]

Only an absolute horrible manager would correct you in front of others. Definitely no manager would fire someone in front of other people unless they did something horrific in front of everyone and had to be fired on the spot.

[@MrBrachiatingApe]

Given that I've had managers who smoked crystal, had relations, and shot raunchy videos in the office, stole money from the pill in full view of the as it turned out fake security camera, and while in her late 30s hit on teenage employees like myself, don't give managers too much credit. They can be idiots just like anybody.

[@KB-eb8qi]

Tips to spotting fake videos: 1) multiple camera angles 2) single perfect camera angle 3) completely still camera 4) great audio (especially outdoors)

[@llareia]

5) camera starts before anything shocking happened

[@bobnuttall1266]

Credits rolling at the end is a dead give away

[@mikelundquist4596]

6. None of the other actors had any lines.

[@luvkayakn]

Her big overflowing purse is a clue that it’s a skit because many mall stores require employees to use a clear bag with just necessities.

[@Liqhtupmyworld]

Also camera being on before the heat even turns up at all.

[@michaelhuffman5113]

The hate these fake videos fuel is real. People need to be held accountable for this kind of harm

[@Kathyat70]

I absolutely agree. These people don't care who they hurt.

[@TheStobyReport]

The First Amendment still applies. If not, who do you want to be in charge of what goes over the line: The same people who declare the statement, “March peacefully…” is a call to arms?

[@imdonewithyall]

The first amendment is all about consequences from the government. There's still consequences for saying stupid crap, as there should be. Public ridicule and lawsuits are all on the table still. If free speech were as absolute as people seem to think defamation and slander lawsuits wouldn't be things

[@michaelhuffman5113]

@@imdonewithyall 100%. I bet Macy’s lawyers have a different opinion

[@TheStobyReport]

@@imdonewithyall Slander and liable are about damages, not speech. Damage from the very shunning that you seem to be supporting. But more to the point, who is going to organize these consequences? If you say something abhorrent, I can shun you. My friends and shun you. Anyone who wants to can shun you. They can all form an association to shun you. That’s always been and currently is available. What do you think needs to be added that wouldn’t involve the government?

[@MKWhitney]

Some of the worst "skits" are when people put animals in danger and then pretend to "rescue" them. Those are just sickening!

[@PlanetCharnBaby]

Yeah, there's a lot of those fake dog rescue channels these days. Some channel in Eastern Europe just happens to keep finding adorable abandoned puppies in their town, often in a secluded spot perfect to be filmed at, not even near a road or a place it would make sense for the puppy to be spotted in the first place. It's very infuriating.

[@Incomudro1963]

Sea Turtles "found" flipped on their backs on calm sandy beaches with no waves.

[@zaq1337]

🐑🐑🐑🤳🏻🤳🏻🤳🏻

[@jennifers1040]

This reminds me of that always sunny episode with the kittens.

[@oiltoast3723]

​@PlanetCharnBaby❤

[@justinmartin845]

I hope Macy sues them so tired of these stupid “pranks”

[@treybrannon4964]

If they don't, you know this was government by design.

[@loicnasser1826]

Or this Macy company is lying to protect themselves ? you didn't think about that option ?

[@justinmartin845]

@@loicnasser1826 not unless Macy's hired some really bad actors.

[@ImALefty08]

@@loicnasser1826 guess what's going to happen if they lie? It'll be a very easy paycheck for those supposed employees, no? Why would the company do that stupid lie?

[@angelenewisk1366]

100% they should be sued, they could potentially lose a lot of income and job losses.

[@dennisesworthy7668]

Macy's should file charges against both actors.

[@michaelscotthawthorn7871]

Defamation

[@danielwilliams7007]

If Macy's can prove loss of revenue because of it. Things could get expensive for the video maker.

[@JoeOvercoat]

Sue, but yes.

[@JoeOvercoat]

@@danielwilliams7007Macy’s could asset damage to their ability to hit their hiring goals. But, exactly, it’s about damages.

[@JP-eh4ee]

Not just those 2.

[@daisyfaye3630]

Why did anybody even think that was real to begin with it was terrible acting?

[@booshandorkakow64]

Confirmation bias gets them every time

[@samfrancisco8095]

I'm the 20th thumbs up. Because they are stupid. Also, their need to belong and be a part of any discussion to express their opinion, as absurd as it is.

[@remyllebeau77]

The first clue is that these terrible stores don't care about employees and they would fire them for even looking at black people the wrong way or if you were filmed saying something off the clock.

[@manonymous4737]

And being filmed. Right from the start. Before it really took off.

[@tf8187]

Horrible acting. Lol it made zero sense to me. 😂😂😂

[@kylies.1841]

I would be so irritated with Macy’s if they don’t sue her for fraud and defamation.

[@ImALefty08]

Them. They're both liable - that man and that woman.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

There's no money in suing poor people.

[@ImALefty08]

@@darkgalaxy5548 it isn't about money, it's about setting an example so other dumb people would know that they can't just pull that stunt without repercussion.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

@@ImALefty08 Agreed, but for that you'd need a criminal protection. Suing poor people in court accomplishes nothing. They could even not show up, take a default judgment, lose a a junk car, & declare bankruptcy. No real penalty for them.

[@thepolishedwook]

Agree but not likely. The backlash will screw the company. Just look at Jesse Smollet- everything he said is known to be BS and BLM supported him anyway.

[@ice319]

I work for the New York City Subway. I remember that shituation when she released those crickets. She did it on a train which was going over the Manhattan Bridge, which is about 6 minutes between stations. And the end doors on the train she did it on are locked. The panic she caused on that train was not cool, at all. People have legitimate fears of insects, and in that case, they couldn't even leave the car to go to another car. These skits are gonna get people killed.

[@albertchurchill4845]

Some already have.

[@SaraBoBara5591]

@@albertchurchill4845yuuup! Makes me think of the people who died to take a selfie at the edge of a cliff and other risky places, and for what? Social media. 😂that’s pathetic

[@llamasugar5478]

A 22-year-old was recently shot and killed making a “prank robbery” video. The man he approached with a knife took defensive action.

[@SaraBoBara5591]

@@llamasugar5478 good, people need to learn how dangerous their idiocies are, I mean that’s unfortunate what happened but that’s a huge risk you’re taking when doing these crazy stunts

[@stormalexa8817]

I have a deep fear of crickets that WILL induce panic attacks, because one causing a panic attack when I was 15 is what caused the fear. The absolute terror that just the mere thought of being caught in that situation caused in my brain makes me feel horrified for the people there. Acts like this for attention just suck

[@furiousgreg4397]

I'm not a lawyer but this looks like defamation. I would not want to be the persons involved when Macy's figures out who did the video because they have deep pockets and a threat to their business will not be tolerated. Expect to read about this in the future.

[@JonL-bb3ol]

From fake KZbin videos to fake ‘go fund me accounts’ - there needs to be real consequencs for people who do this…

[@jaeladarlingtrailers]

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" should be required bedtime reading and then required reading in every year of school.

[@brandonallen3808]

Except have it about racism not a wolf.

[@nablamakabama488]

Exactly the first thing I thought too. Some people have to hear this story about 50 more times. They might be a bit slow, but at some point they’ll get it.

[@davidkuntze7992]

The employee was too calm and collected for being fired. I’ve seen a bigger fuss from a lady who’s child didn’t get an award than this lady who gets fired in an elevator.

[@colinclement2752]

While the video is fake. The hate it will generate is real. We don't need more divisiveness right now.

[@michaelferguson3127]

Brought to you by China's tik tok

[@robertclark5874]

Who cares? People just trying to make some money. Politicians just trying to get some votes.

[@ebonidaneen5639]

I hate these FAKE videos they give ppl real emotions for nothing

[@usamwhambam]

How do you deal with the MSM?

[@SaraBoBara5591]

@@usamwhambamwhat is MSM?

[@TheStobyReport]

That’s what art is supposed to do.

[@TheStobyReport]

@@SaraBoBara5591Main Stream Media.

[@usamwhambam]

@@SaraBoBara5591 MSM. Main Stream Media, aka. CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, BBC, and so on.

[@dabidibup]

Sooo she doesn’t take racism seriously since she makes skits about it

[@smallfries3462]

Of course this fake no company like Macy's would fire an employee in front of possible customers

[@marting7848]

in the fucking elevator..... yeah give me a break lol

[@SaraBoBara5591]

Right?!? Ridiculous 😂

[@Rockinrobynification]

Whoah! I’m sensing a slander lawsuit by Macy’s

[@parttime9260]

Defamation of character for sure.

[@kaytoka717]

I hope so - time for this kind of fake videos to end. They make money off of the views while the companies get labeled, cancelled and probably the target of the next BLM theft / race riot.

[@lunalou8888]

They will only sue the white guy😅

[@SaraBoBara5591]

@@lunalou8888🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nicolasandresmartinez-cond126]

Why nobody ever wonders who the cameraman is and why is that person filming? 😂😂😂😂

[@YolanivanderWesthuizen]

Looked fake, just look at the non-reaction of people around them.

[@chaoscontrolASH]

Good point. In that elevator, they would have attacked him after he said "black people time" most likely.

[@PlanetCharnBaby]

Exactly. That whole elevator was full of bystanders. If that was real, you would have heard an audible gasp from the crowd when the manager said "We're not running on black people time".

[@robertclark5874]

Exactly, we know an elevator full of black people would jump him for saying that.

[@georgeowell8276]

Macys should sue them and demand a public apology promoted on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

[@alexanderrahl7034]

The demand for racism far exceeds the supply

[@joduffy6851]

^^ I've never heard it out tat way but that's so right.

[@blockmasterscott]

I recently retired from a California school district. While I was working, there were literally women walking around trying to catch white male employees saying the wrong words so so they could report them. The scary thing was that they honestly thought they were helping society. They actually believed in what they were doing.

[@abn82dmp]

Thomas Sowell quote, I love it.

[@UncleMikeDrop]

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain -

[@heavenlyree]

Love how they act like these issues constantly happen but they don’t so in order to keep that narrative they play pretend.

[@Reborn_TM]

Seriously? People thought this was real? The acting is absurdly cringe...

[@trex19681]

You under-estimate how stupid people are.

[@briannabanks1659]

Sadly, this is actually higher tier compared to the videos I see people fall for, where 99% of the comments are people reacting to it as if it were real…

[@DamianMartins]

When watching these viral videos people gotta ask "why is the camera person filming right now?" Many videos can be quickly dismissed with that question.

[@K1600_Rider]

This should be grounds for a law suit doing damage to the Macy's corporations.

[@faithinjesus7817]

Yes, Amala, some people should never be on a jury. Defendants should demand jurors be tested.

[@TheNinjaMarmot]

Time to sue for dafamation.

[@HintofPink]

This is as cringey as that ‘social experiments’ trend back in the day

[@gavinruneblade]

Used to say "pics or it didn't happen" today between skits and AI fakes it is "I saw it myself IRL or it didn't happen"

[@timfarnsworth6454]

Fantastic! Keep getting these stories out there and erasing the fake hate narratives meant to divide us👍🏻

[@brittneyzarwel6242]

Oh yeah i KNEW this was fake! There was too much off about it. Why would someone respond to unprofessionalism with MORE unprofessionalism with absolute racism tossed in while on an elevator full of black people. It was just absurd. And then she went on to try & "rob" him too? I mean it was just too much.

[@jessicaroberts521]

also no one reacted when he said that. like you said, the people in the elevator were majority black and if this were real at least one person would’ve said something about it but they had no reaction whatsoever; the people didn’t even react or gasp as if they knew that he was about to say that

[@brittneyzarwel6242]

@@jessicaroberts521 yeah exactly! I mean I think everyone knows someone would've stepped in defending her & calling him out after saying that. My question tho is "why?" What does this woman gain by doing this? Is it literally all about Internet clicks? How substantial can that be once the virality subsides? I just don't get it.

[@rebeccahicks2392]

@@jessicaroberts521 Yeah (if it were real) even if the manager had been racist, he would have known better than to say that part out loud.

[@PeeJayBrownJr]

Companies like Macy's should be able to sue these individuals for defamation of character considering the damage it does even if it is considered fake.

[@astrologydivathayer4531]

You can tell it's fake. No way would this actually happen

[@theAshesofDecember1]

Even if I hadn’t been told it was fake, I would have to wonder if it’s fake because it just seems poorly. Acted like I’ve never heard a sound like that my life.

[@briangriffin8106]

Usually the giveaway is the position of the camera. Especially when a person is saying something that they'd never want recorded.

[@llamasugar5478]

They involved a child in this travesty. SMH Who bankrolled this?!

[@niceworkabc]

It's also the callous disregard for the damage that can be done to a business when people boycott them ...

[@Kiazhin]

It's sad when a reaction is given before thruth is sought.

[@HopelessObserver]

How people couldn't tell that this was fake is the real scary part

[@ViewpointUnique]

Stuff on TikTok isn't real?! What?!

[@sirebellum0]

Both those conspirators absolutely should be sued for defamation. Macy's likely can't get much out of them directly, but they need to set an example for the (stupid) public that you can't get away with this shit no matter how badly you want attention.

[@erickrassow3094]

Why would someone waist their time doing that!?!?!?

[@EverydayMusician]

This is like that fast food veteran encounter video from a long time ago that I never believed was real (although I never saw it confirmed to be fake). It's the one where the guy asks if they have a military discount and then another customer is like, "I hate you military discount people" and then eventually another customer comes to pay for the veteran's meal and the restaurant says, "No, it's on the house." Why was someone filming? A little too convenient, right? And it just keeps getting worse.

[@ms.wilson6439]

Lol, we're not running on black people time. It's CPT, at least get it right.😂

[@DeMan59]

Macy’s should sue for defamation. I would. And every person on that elevator would be named in my lawsuit.

[@punchkitten874]

I rarely say this, but we should pass a law that all skits must have obvious identification as such at the beginning of the video.

[@charlesevenstad]

When the demand for racism outweighs the supply.

[@spiraldown2710]

I recently found out about fake animal rescues… I’m sure you can imagine how it’s done 😣 genuinely disgusting

[@ohsweetmystery]

Why do so many people want to peep into other people's lives? The elevator incident is in a public place, but it's disturbing when people are wanting to see people reacting to cancer diagnoses. Or dementia incidents. The problem is too many people with a voyeuristic mentality.

[@tinyderppotato5410]

every family vlogger.....

[@melissaholleron719]

Scott Adams isn't wrong

[@elktrip2000]

The fact that these people do this so much but all of the social media companies don’t shut them down. It’s these people that want to create more anger in our world. So angering.

[@catherinedonley2781]

Macy’s should bring a lawsuit against these two people.

[@Wren1]

The two huge red flags for this being fake are 1) no manager who valued his/her job would ever fire someone in public and 2) a manager would know that wages are due and payable _immediately_ upon employer initiated termination of employment.

[@drmott666]

Also I have never heard of an employer mailing a final paycheck unless it is a situation where you aren’t allowed on company property anymore for some reason such as making threats and being removed by police otherwise if you are in a situation like you fired during a suspension or quit without notice(giving them 72 hours to provide payment. At least in california) they have you come in to pick up your final pay

[@6AlphaMikeCharlie9]

Social media needs to start banning people who do chit like that.

[@Elder-Sage]

Anyone who has worked in large corporations know that anyone fired would have been escorted out by HR and/or security.

[@JoeMcMorrow-k7e]

I remember seeing a popular Children's TV show here in the UK with "Ant and Dec". Half way through a dance routine, Dec appears to struggle, wander around for a second and then collapses in a heap to the floor. Followed by a rush of concern from the other cast members and a sudden commercial break. It turned out to be an "April Fool's joke". No one was laughing though. This is nothing new.

[@justjennie7394]

How could anyone actually think this was real? Nobody would be fired in an elevator like that

[@BIGB347]

welcome to 2024: staged video for likes and clout to get their 15 mins of internet fame. brick lady last year was a perfect example.

[@ManfromNowhere233]

Macys should sue these “actors” to oblivion - just to make an example out of them.

[@SB4F]

It's hard to question what you see when you're shown things you want to see.

[@shariking4392]

Thank you for shining a light on this. I fall prey to these fakes.

[@carabingham3207]

I hope Macey’s sues; surely that is defamation. These jokers need to held responsible for their actions.

It's scary how easily fooled people are on the internet.

[@wallacewyatt4023]

Spot on analysis.

[@TheNanimonster]

For as long as there has been internet, this has been happening in one form or another. I can't tell you how many times I've had to point out that you can't believe everything on the net to my parents. It's so frustrating! Especially for the vulnerable. I wish there were laws, but I don't see it happening without infringing on our rights. Hopefully someone smarter than me will figure it out.

[@joduffy6851]

Crying wolf on racism is a bad idea. Shame on both of them.

[@RoxieCarrol215]

There's a reason why they filmed it in the elevator, which was also really rude to block the elevator.

[@justmehere6094]

This is why Macys, who has the resources, and legitimate claim to damages needs to sue these people involved. There need to be consequences for these fakers. Until there is, they will continue as it's just all benefit for their twisted minds, and bank accounts

[@Not_Built_For_This_World]

Macy's should sue everyone involved with the production of this ...whatever this hot mess was!

[@joemama5181]

That's about the worst "acting" I've ever seen in my life.

[@lance134679]

It's so easy to bait people. That's how much we've been divided.

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

WOW! Thanks for an excellent investigation of this fake video.

[@sunshine4ndrainbows397]

No one gets fired on an elevator in front of customers. First sign that this is super fake. This stuff happens quietly in an office

[@PancakeDiaries]

I get scared in these times... I never can understand HOW ppl don't notice when these are scripted

[@andysky123]

I am starting to hate social media as much as I hate STUPIDITY.. aren't they one in the same.. ??

[@WendyOakley-lw1uq]

This unfortunately is why the World is so screwed, so much false bs

[@zeber75]

Sounds like a defamation lawsuit is going to follow this.

[@123lodge8]

The worst are the animal rescue videos where they throw a kitten or puppy into a dangerous situation (down a pipe, into a creek, etc) then film the “rescue “. Flat out evil.

[@ryanzaccone7742]

We stopped teaching the lesson of don't always believe what you see/ hear/ read.

[@lestersys]

I need to share this video with my parents and all the aunts and uncles who keep sending me videos like these! 😂

[@Durzo1259]

It's interesting how you never see people on the right pulling a Jussie Smollett.

[@janeyrevanescence12]

I knew something was wrong when this manager fired this employee in front of paying customers. I’ve been working since I was a teenager and I’ve never seen a manager be that stupid.

[@Mad9977]

"I've seen better acting on Star Wars the Accolyte " 😂 what a savage

[@madmarduk1936]

I worked as a retail manager for a long time. SEVERAL times I had employees try to use “CPT” as an excuse. So I have a hard time considering it racist when I see a manager say that they’re not on “CPT”. I assumed she had probably used it as an excuse before and that is why he said it. I did think it was crazy that he had the conversation in an elevator at all. Makes sense it was fake.

[@m.danonbains3423]

Macy’s should file a law suite. Saves time and effort.

[@Saamish-P]

You are so right with what you just said, and very few people in the world will hear it, unfortunately.

[@BirdDogg]

Sounds like a lawsuit is in order from Macy’s

[@Sakosaga]

There isnt a manager that would ever fire someone like this....i feel like people just don't work at jobs? They pull you in the backroom and let you go on site and if it's a corporate job, HR will be in that room too.

[@darcraven2496]

This is what gives fuel to those that want to control the internet by having to state real or fake, figure it out yourself or they will just tell you.

[@caintindal1671]

For a start no employer would fire a employee in an elevator full of people.

[@frankiethewaffle2476]

"Has somebody recognised this desire in me..." Such a great way to look at this situation. Skepticism sure, but healthy.

[@trex19681]

I see these on IG and FB. Reading comments, im always shocked by the hateful and violence inducing comments. Some people react to movie clips as if they really happened. Nobody can tell what is real anymore.

[@LordTaos]

Remember email chain letters? This is the same thing. I spent a lot of time trying to educate my friends not to fall for them and research it before forwarding it on. This is no different, except people now are less capable than back then. I do hope Macy's finds a way to sue them.

[@jeremybrodecki1663]

There was a fast food chain that suffered something similar, and I won’t mention their name because it affected their sales, but someone was dressed up in their uniform and doing skits on social media about spitting and food and other more gross things

[@K.Dwizzle]

Something I always ask myself when I see a sketchy clip, “who’s filming it?”

[@Pengochan]

Also for any public video consider who is holding the camera, and how well the camerawork is done. Here the camera is held very steady, the view angle is as perfect as it can be in that elevator, so that's not some random person accidentially hearing some conversation and deciding to make a video, or we'd only see shaky pictures of the floor or the ceiling half the time. It's also important for all those"pranks": if you want to get rid of a prankster block view of the camera.

[@tmaherjr]

I will not surprised that these creators get sued by Macy’s for defamation and potential loss of revenue. This type of stunts can damage a stores reputation and earnings.

[@bonnieharris4341]

I feel bad for the other people on the elevator, especially the child. He looked so bewildered. 😢😢