The Broom Challenge Sends The Internet Into A Frenzy But It’s Sort Of A Hoax
The Broom Challenge has taken the internet by storm, but the truth is, it’s actually a hoax. There is no doubt that a broom can actually stand on its own, as proven by the countless videos and photos left by users participating in the newest internet fad.
However, in the initial viral video clip that kicked off the challenge, a Twitter user made an interesting claim.
“Okay so NASA said today was the only day a broom can stand up on its own because of the gravitational pull…I didn’t believe it at first but OMG,” reads the tweet. This one tweet kicked off the flurry of broom photos you’re seeing all over social media.
People All Over The Country Have Been Posting Photos Of Their Brooms Standing Upright
Sensational ?
Future takes on the #BroomChallenge pic.twitter.com/MIFiApC1iz
— Complex (@Complex) February 11, 2020
The claim referencing NASA claimed that only on February 10, 2020, could a broom stand upright on its own. Many were led to believe that the gravitational pull or planetary alignment that was occurring on February 10 was the reason that brooms were able to balance in the middle of your kitchen floor.
Once #broomchallenge started to trend on Twitter, users couldn’t help but test it out on their own. Even television commentator Lou Dobbs got in on the action, albeit with the full knowledge that it had nothing to do with anything other than how the broom was constructed.
“Try this at home!” wrote Dobbs in the caption of a photo he tweeted. “And it has nothing to do with planetary alignment or full moon!”
Hip hop superstar Future also tried out the broom challenge, taking to his Instagram stories to show off his upright standing broom. The rapper posed next to the broom and offered no insight as to whether or not he thought it was related to the cosmos.
The Broom Challenge Is A Hoax
There’s word on the internet tonight that you can balance your broom because of the earth’s gravitational pull… … who knows if it’s true or if I’m gullible… but it worked and I’m very creeped out. #broomchallenge pic.twitter.com/OW9OU8XdlU
— Jim Vasil (@JimVasilNews) February 11, 2020
The Broom Challenge is nothing new and has been making the rounds on the internet as long ago as 2012, when CNNreleased a video that saw meteorologist Chad Myers debunk the theories that once again claimed brooms were standing due to a gravitational pull caused by the spring equinox.
“If you go buy a broom and stand it up on its own, all it is about is balance,” said Myers as he stood two brooms next to each other. “The center of gravity is right above the bristles. If you can make the bristles make a small little tripod down there, they’ll stand up every day, not just today.”
NASA has not released a statement debunking their involvement in the challenge and it is unlikely they will.
