Video shows man trying to “fill entire pickup bed with fuel amidst last month’s fuel shortage.”
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
Video of man filling truck bed with gas originated as a gag on entertainment page
If Your Time is short
- This video originated on the page of a performer with a caveat: It’s not real.
As the Colonial Pipeline disruption led to fears of fuel shortages on the East Coast, some misinformation about people hoarding gas started to spread online.
On May 28, a video was shared on the Facebook page of Julius Dein, a street magician and performer who makes social media content. It’s titled "He filled his truck bed with gasoline" and shows a man at a gas station who appears to be filling his tarp-lined truck bed with fuel.
But the post also says: "Thank you for watching! Please be aware that this page features Magic Effects/Illusions as well as scripted dramas and parodies. These short films are for entertainment purposes only!"
As the video has been shared on social media without that caveat, it’s not always clear that the video is staged.
Featured Fact-check
"Dude tries to fill entire pickup bed with fuel amidst last month’s fuel shortage," reads the headline of one June 7 blog post.
The post shares the video on YouTube with the title "Insane man fills his truck bed with gasoline!"
This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
We rate claims that the video is authentic False.
Our Sources
Blog post, June 7, 2021
YouTube, Insane man fills his truck bed with gasoline!, May 29, 2021
PolitiFact, Photo shows ‘plastic bags filled with gas’ in someone’s car trunk in South Carolina, May 12, 2021
PolitiFact, Video shows woman filling plastic bags with gas after Colonial Pipeline disruption, May 11, 2021
Insider, Julius Dein was performing magic tricks at weddings two years ago — now he’s an internet sensation, with over 20 million online followers, March 15, 2018
Wired, LadBaby and the wild ride of the Facebook Famous, May 10, 2021
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Video of man filling truck bed with gas originated as a gag on entertainment page
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.