Brazilian authorities successfully thwarted a planned terrorist attack targeting Lady Gaga’s massive concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on May 3, 2025. The free event drew an estimated 2.5 million attendees, becoming the largest live performance of the pop star’s career.
The operation, codenamed “Fake Monster,” was coordinated by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. Investigations revealed that an extremist group intended to use improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails to disrupt the concert. The suspects reportedly shared hate speech online, particularly targeting the LGBTQIA+ community, and attempted to recruit adolescents through social media platforms. Authorities also found content linked to violence, self-harm, and child exploitation.
Two individuals were arrested in connection with the plot. One man was detained in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of firearms, while a teenage suspect was apprehended in Rio de Janeiro for offenses related to child pornography. During multiple raids across Brazilian states, police seized electronic devices, weapons, and various documents.
To avoid public panic, details of the operation were kept confidential until after the concert, which proceeded safely and without disruption. According to reports, Lady Gaga and her team were unaware of the threat at the time of the performance.
Following the event, Gaga expressed deep appreciation for her Brazilian fans and praised the country’s culture, calling the concert a powerful and unforgettable experience.
The case has renewed attention on the growing threat of online radicalization and underscored the need for continued vigilance against extremist content and hate-driven violence.
Source: Daily Mail
