Fact Check: FAKE Image Shows Spider-Man Punching Jake…
An AI-generated image circulating on social media falsely depicts a Spider-Man cosplayer punching Jake Lang during a Minneapolis protest
- Incident date
- Aug 2026
- Target
- Jake Lang
In August 2026, an image circulated on social media platforms claiming to show a person dressed as Spider-Man punching Jake Lang during a protest in Minneapolis. The viral post, shared on X, was proven to be AI-generated rather than a genuine photograph of the event.
What happened
A demonstration and counter-protest at Minneapolis City Hall on August 22, 2026, escalated into violence, resulting in the arrest of eleven individuals, including Jake Lang and William Nicholas Love. The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that Love was the individual wearing a Spider-Man costume during the altercation. While a physical scuffle involving the two did occur, video footage from the scene shows that the specific action depicted in the viral image—a punch landing as shown—did not take place in reality.
Following the image's circulation, investigators utilized digital forensic tools to confirm its origin. Hive Moderation determined the image was 88.4% likely to contain AI-generated content. Furthermore, the OpenAI Verify tool identified a SynthID watermark embedded within the image, confirming that it was created using OpenAI tools. Despite the existence of authentic footage and photography from the event, including captures by photojournalist Ron Haviv, the fabricated image misrepresented the actual nature of the physical confrontation.