Political

2021 video of Christmas tree on fire goes viral with misleading claims

The viral video is not recent, it is from December 2021. It has no link to pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

A video of a large Christmas tree being set on fire outside the Fox News headquarters in New York has recently gone viral on social media with the claim that it was set on fire by pro-Palestine activists. This comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

The caption of the post states, “Biden failed America PRO PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATORS SET CHRISTMAS TREE ON FIRE OUTSIDE OF FOX NEWS HQ IN NEW YORK”.

Let’s check the truth

Archive link

Fact Check-

We started the investigation with a reverse image search on Google and the

results led us to several articles and videos matching the footage to the fire destroying the 50-foot tree outside the headquarters of Fox News near Rockefeller Center on 8 December, 2021.

USA Today

According to Reuters, New York police arrested a man on suspicion that he had set on fire a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree outside the Fox News headquarters in midtown Manhattan on 8 December 2021.Fox News security personnel called police shortly after midnight when they saw a man climbing the tree located at Sixth Avenue and 48th Street, police said. When officers arrived on the scene they saw a man, identified as Craig Tamanaha, 49, running from the tree and arrested him. He faces several charges, including arson, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

The blaze garnered considerable media coverage at the time including on Fox News itself. Police told local media they had arrested a homeless man with prior criminal offenses.

The viral video was originally shared in December 2021 by media outlets such as The Washington PostBusiness Insider, and NBC News

NBC News

Although the video was real, it was not taken this year. It had nothing to do with pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Conclusion-

Fact Crescendo found that the claim made along with the viral video to be Misleading. The viral video is not recent, it is from December 2021. It has no link to pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Title:2021 video of Christmas tree on fire goes viral with misleading claims

Written By: Usha Manoj

Result: Misleading

Usha Manoj

Recent Posts

Did Bansuri Swaraj leave the stage middle of singing the national anthem? – Know the truth

This video is incomplete. Bansuri Swaraj did not leave the stage. She asked the audience…

40 minutes ago

Video from Lucknow goes viral as demonetised Indian ₹500 notes found on Pakistani roads

This viral video is not from Pakistan. It was shot in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. A…

2 days ago

Starbucks products are safe to consume. Viral claim is based on rumors.

Starbucks, a globally recognized coffeehouse chain is known for its variety of coffees, other beverages…

2 days ago

Banks closed on every Saturday and Sunday- The viral claim is false

The Reserve Bank of India has not released any such notification. These days a post…

3 days ago

Amazon has NOT Launched Retail Operations in Bangladesh

In September 2025, a photo of a storefront in Dhaka’s Uttara area labeled “amazon.bd” spread…

3 days ago

Ricky Ponting has not criticised India on the handshake controversy with Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

Ricky Ponting never made such a statement. Ponting himself denied the claim on his social media…

4 days ago