Pranksters Impersonate DOGE Officials in San Francisco’s City Hall
On February 14, three men entered San Francisco’s City Hall, claiming to be officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and demanding access to city officials’ computers. This unusual incident quickly attracted attention, although it was later confirmed that the individuals had no affiliations with DOGE or any governmental body.
Details of the Incident
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office later reported that the three men involved were not actual DOGE officials. The incident turned out to be a stunt orchestrated by YouTuber Danny Mullen, known for his online pranks, who published a video documenting the events on February 24. In the video titled, “Fake DOGE Prank in San Francisco (Liberal Meltdown),” Mullen, alongside fellow influencer Leandro Dottavio, entered City Hall and the Unified School District buildings under the guise of government officials.
Misleading Social Media Posts
Following the release of the prank video, clips were shared across various social media platforms, causing confusion among viewers. An account on X (formerly Twitter), boasting over a million followers, shared a segment that presented the pranksters as legitimate DOGE officials without clarification. In another instance, a TikTok user with a significant following incorrectly claimed that “DOGE employees raided government offices,” further perpetuating the misinformation.
Response from Authorities
On the same day as the incident, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office stated they were looking into the matter and confirmed that the individuals posing as DOGE officials lacked identification. They noted that the men were wearing DOGE-themed t-shirts and were verbally aggressive towards city staff, which contributed to the lack of compliance from employees.
By February 18, after reviewing surveillance footage from City Hall, authorities indicated that the impostors had made no attempt to present valid identification during the incident. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that their actions were troubling and warranted further investigation.
The Release of the Prank Video
Nearly a week later, Mullen’s prank video surfaced on YouTube, where it was introduced with the provocative statement, “Elon Musk’s DOGE is terrorizing public sector employees.” The 29-minute clip featured the trio displaying mock identification cards with crude and inappropriate content as part of their prank.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the potential consequences of online pranks that blur the lines between reality and fiction. As social media continues to amplify such content, verification and critical thinking become essential for audiences to discern authentic news from hoaxes.
