By Trendsetter Tribune 
An AI-generated video of a Deli owner confronting ICE agents went viral, sparking outrage and debate online. Social media users are divided as the clip is revealed as fake.
A video showing an angry Deli owner refusing service to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently exploded online — racking up nearly 3 million views on X — but the clip is not real.
The footage, originally shared by X user @Roshan_Rinaldi, depicts a furious shopkeeper shouting at uniformed officers:
“You do not belong here. Get out of my shop!”
“You come here with your masks, scare all my customers and make trouble on name… Get the hell out!”
“Authority? You don’t got guts, that’s what you got! Cowards — hiding behind little masks.”
Social media users quickly amplified the video, praising the shopkeeper’s defiance and criticizing ICE. Comments ranged from cheers for the owner’s courage — “YES DO THIS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO THROW THEM OUT!” — to warnings about the dangers of fake media:
“Entire timeline is accounts falling for fake videos of people telling off ICE. We are too stupid for the AI-driven world we are entering,” one user wrote.
AI-Generated Clip Exposed
Despite its viral spread, the video was soon revealed as AI-generated content, and it was flagged with a Community Note on X. Observers noted glaring mistakes, including the misspelled badge on the agent’s uniform, reading “PICE” instead of “ICE”, a telltale sign of AI errors.
“This is an AI-generated video, not a real event; the agents’ badges are misspelled (‘PICEF’ instead of ‘ICE’), a common AI error seen in similar fake videos,” the note stated.
While some social media users continued to praise the fictitious shopkeeper, others criticized the spread of AI misinformation. One wrote,
Deli owner angrily refuses to serve ICE agents:
— Roshan Rinaldi (@Roshan_Rinaldi) January 10, 2026
Shop Keeper: "You don't belong in here! Get out of my shop!"
ICE Gestapo: Sir, we have authority to,…"
Shop Keeper: "You don't got guts, that's what you got! Cowards- hiding behind little masks. Get the hell out!" pic.twitter.com/7BN00Pd8jl
“While it’s important to stay alert and keep pushing back against ICE, it’s also important to STOP USING AI/STOP PUSHING AI SLOP as this video is clearly AI.”
Context: ICE Controversy and Protests
The video’s virality comes amid heightened national outrage over ICE operations, particularly the January 7, 2026, shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, in Minneapolis.
Footage from that incident shows Good attempting to drive away from ICE agent Jonathan Ross after an initial verbal confrontation. The officer discharged his firearm through her windshield as she moved her vehicle a few steps toward him, killing Good. The incident has sparked nationwide protests and fierce debate over ICE’s tactics.
While Democrats and activists condemned the killing, the Trump administration defended the agent’s actions, claiming he acted in self-defense. The FBI is investigating the shooting.
The Dangers of AI Misinformation
The fake Deli video illustrates the growing problem of AI-generated content in shaping public perception of real-world events. Even well-meaning users can spread misinformation unintentionally, blurring lines between reality and fiction. Experts warn that viral AI videos could exacerbate tensions during already volatile situations, such as protests against ICE or other law enforcement agencies.
This incident shows that social media users must approach viral clips with skepticism, particularly when the content depicts politically charged confrontations.
Online Reaction Divided
Reactions to the AI clip were sharply split:
- Supporters of the Deli owner: Some users cheered the shopkeeper’s supposed courage in standing up to ICE, seeing it as a symbolic act of defiance.
- Critics of AI misinformation: Others cautioned against spreading fake videos, highlighting how such clips can mislead viewers and inflame tensions.
The debate underscores a larger challenge in the digital age: balancing advocacy and activism with responsibility, especially when AI technology can create hyper-realistic yet entirely fabricated scenes.
Bottom Line
What began as a viral video of a defiant Deli owner quickly became a lesson in digital literacy. While it captured the imagination of millions, the clip was entirely fabricated, underscoring the need for careful verification in an era of AI-generated media.
As protests over real ICE incidents continue nationwide, distinguishing fact from fiction will be critical to understanding and engaging with these events responsibly.