YouTube Demonetizes 5SecondFilms Over Luigi Mangione Video: What Happened?
3 min read
IG@5sf
The popular YouTube channel 5secondfilms (5SF), known for its quirky, short-form comedy videos, has been demonetized by the platform after sharing a controversial five-second video featuring Luigi Mangione. The channel, which has nearly 400,000 subscribers, faced severe consequences despite the minimal duration of the clip.
What Led to the Demonetization?
The video in question revolves around Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate who has been charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare. In the comedic skit, Luigi is humorously depicted in jail, where Santa Claus appears to inform him that he is at the “top” of his “nice list.” While the video was clearly meant as a satirical joke, YouTube swiftly removed it from the platform and proceeded to demonetize the entire channel.
Reacting to the decision, the creators of 5secondfilms took to social media to address their audience. They wrote:
“YouTube took down our Luigi Mangione 5SF and demonetized our channel. You can still find it on our Instagram, our TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.”
Though YouTube removed the video from the main channel, it remains available in the YouTube Shorts section, as well as on other social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Fans and Community React
The incident quickly drew widespread attention and backlash from fans and online communities. Reddit’s popular r/LivestreamFail subreddit became a hub for heated discussions, with many users criticizing YouTube’s actions.
Here are a few reactions:
“F**king hell that’s extreme,” said one user, u/Present_Block_5430.
“Oh they’re SCARED scared,” remarked another, u/Ex-altiora.
“A channel that’s been around for 16 years and has made way crazier stuff,” pointed out u/TheHunterJK.
“Imagine taking away an entire YouTube channel’s entire revenue for 5 seconds,” added u/Scar1et_Kink.
“For what? There’s objectively much more harmful sht on the site,”* commented u/AnE1Home.
The overwhelming sentiment among fans is that YouTube’s actions were disproportionate, especially considering 5secondfilms’ long-standing history on the platform.
The Luigi Mangione Context
Luigi Mangione has recently become a polarizing figure, sparking a mix of serious debates and meme culture across the internet. Following his arrest, Mangione’s infamy skyrocketed, with discussions about him spreading across various platforms. Despite the serious nature of the case, his name has become a focal point for online trolling and satire.
Interestingly, after news of Mangione’s arrest broke, a mysterious YouTube channel under his name appeared, posting a cryptic minute-and-a-half-long video. YouTube later confirmed that this channel was removed for impersonation.
The demonetization of 5secondfilms over a five-second comedic skit has raised questions about YouTube’s content moderation policies. While the video was intended as humor, the platform’s decision has sparked widespread debate, with many calling the punishment extreme and inconsistent. For now, fans can still view the skit on other social media platforms, but the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges creators face in navigating content guidelines on major platforms.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
