Whether you think 'influencers' are harmless personalities trying to make a living through social media, or they're the devil incarnate as they insert themselves into our lives, there's no escaping their controversy as they continue to do some weird and wild things for clicks.
Everyone from Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson to Logan Paul has been embroiled in controversy, while others like Jack Doherty are even more divisive. Elsewhere, we've all heard about the many crimes of Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, as others have grabbed headlines for leaving Diet Coke on the outlawed North Sentinel Island, Johnny Somali joked about wanting relations with children, and Harrison "HSTikkyTokky" Sullivan was arrested after a year-long manhunt.
While some argue they're informing the world about important issues, like the woman who filmed her own arrest at the hands of ICE, an increasing number are becoming known for their 'prank' videos or punching down on others.
The latest to feel the wrath of the comment section is Keith Castillo, who goes by the name of "povwolfy" online. In his Thanksgiving video, povwolfy is seen giving alcohol and machetes to homeless people in Austin and New Orleans.
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The New York Post shared the video where he jokes about how he's keeping the streets 'safe'. After gaining over 14 million views on TikTok and Instagram for the 'stunt', Castillo has boasted about going to New York next.
Handing out a machete, povwolfy is seen saying: "Here, want one of these?”
One thrilled person said, "Hell yeah, man," as he accepted the blade. Speaking to the New York Post, Castillo confirmed the machetes were legitimate and had been bought from Harbor Freight for less than $5 each.
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Discussing his actions, povwolfy vowed to continue his tour of the nation as he joked: "I have like 30 machetes in my car right now. Dude, they’re cheap.”
"I travel around, bulk record in one city and then for my safety go to another city, do the same thing there for like two weeks and kind of like travel around."
After giving out the weapons in New Orleans and Little Rock, he told the outlet about his grand plans to go big or go home: "I have plans to go to Vegas, Skid Row [in L.A.] soon. I should be in New York in January, I have a lot of friends out there.
"Go hand out a bunch of machetes and fireballs there, too."
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Responding to the clip, one concerned person said: "How is he not in jail. I mean FFS."
Another added: "Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should 🤷🏻♂️ This is a great thought exercise about morals and ethics."
A third chimed in saying: "Alcohol isn’t illegal and machetes are classified as agricultural tools. So completely legal."
While Castillo claims he's been assured he isn't doing anything illegal, retired NYPD Sgt. and John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor Joseph Giacalone warned: "That sounds like a cocktail for disaster — alcohol and machetes. Could we get any dumber?”
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Still, he added that “possession of a machete isn’t against the law.”
Defending the viral stunt, Castillo concluded: "These are for, like, tool purposes. They have zero intent for what people are claiming they want to do with the [machetes].
“Honestly I really don’t care bro, it’s good for the clicks and views, you know. Gotta do what we have to do so we eat.”