Creating a TikTok masterpiece can make a person thirsty.
That thirst may be the inspiration for the latest—and not so great—TikTok challenge dubbed the "Kool-Aid Man" challenge.
More and more homeowners across the nation have reported the destruction of their fences. Law enforcement warned the new TikTok trend is responsible.
The TikTok challenge is simple. Challenges participants locate a fence or wall and then proceed to bust through the obstacle in a similar fashion to the classic Kool-Aid Man commercials that featured the mascot doing exactly that.
News organizations are reporting on the problem.
But is it much ado about nothing like Tide pods proved to be?
A deep dive of the hashtags #koolaidmanchallenge, #koolaid, and #koolaidchallenge yields very little evidence on TikTok or other social media the trend even exists. When sifting through those same hashtags, users are likely to find content related to the iconic Kool-Aid man himself, showing no destruction of property at all or people emulating him whole doing actual demolition work as opposed to vandalism.
The 'Kool Aid Man' challenge is a stunt where people, often teenagers, bust through fences as if they were the 'Kool Aid Man.'https://t.co/lln8j1pjeJ
— 21WFMJNews (@21WFMJNews) November 24, 2021
I should mention, that gate was locked with a pad lock. 😳
— Sarpy Blotter (@SarpyBlotter) July 10, 2021
Kool Aid man challenge?
— HDR1DERDAVE (@CubsFan4ever62) July 10, 2021
While many TikTok challenges received their 5 minutes of fame, many are wondering if the same trajectory for success will be afforded to this new alleged trend.
Several reported incidents of vandalism attributed to the challenge were reported in Ohio. Homeowners in the same neighborhood went to bed with their fences fully intact, only to wake up to gaping holes in their decorative barriers.
According to the New York Post , a woman in Staten Island also reported a similar situation in which her fence was also allegedly damaged.
The woman told the New York Post:
“I went on our neighborhood Facebook page and noticed someone posted a video of this happening to them, too."
"Others commented that they also had their fences damaged by young teens jumping through them.”
That Kool-aid man challenge is NO joke! https://t.co/uWnJfj6cwx
— Larrys Twin- Freelance Slut (@LarrysTwin99) November 24, 2021
In Omaha, Nebraska incidents like this are becoming common.
Residents began reporting the vandalism back in July of this year. Further analysis of the timeline of the reported events would indicate the trend saw airplay on TikTok since 2019.
Why did my brother in law ask me to do the kool aid man challenge and I said what’s that and he said you bust through a fence
— 凸^-^凸 (@cooterclown) November 25, 2021
"kool aid man challenge"
if you do this you'll be joining the ones who drank it
— prince oeduard the 2st (@moz_a_rella) November 26, 2021
Just saw something on the news about the TikTok youths doing a “kool aid man challenge” where they bust through their neighbors fences like the kool aid man??? Sjdjdjdjdj what is going ON
— SAG SZN (@desifemme) November 26, 2021
Property damage as a TikTok trend like 😭 your parents are gonna have some words for you!!!!
— SAG SZN (@desifemme) November 26, 2021
*kool-aid man voice* oh nooo
— ehh 🍁 (@ebomeme) November 26, 2021
Meanwhile, this video reflects what is currently on TikTok.
@jinman1313 Visit TikTok to discover videos!
While people seemingly have created the vandalism aspect out of thin air.
@andrealnorris Claim them. #omaha #omahanebraska #news #nebraska #midwest #genz #koolaid #koolaidman #koolaidchallenge #nebraskatok #nebraskacheck #nebraskalife #kid
While the vandalism has left many homeowners across the country thirsty for justice, the evidence against the Kool-Aid Man is looking pretty thin.
@demetrialllucas/Instagram
@primospeedwell01/Instagram
@michaelabentley_fitness/Instagram
@sunnyanderson/Instagram
@egyptsherrod/Instagram
@arlenelitton/Instagram
@absolutelygorgeous100/Instagram
Kerry Dolan/Forbes