On May 4, 2025, Brazilian authorities announced the arrest of two individuals—a man and a teenager—in connection with an alleged plot to bomb Lady Gaga’s free concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, which drew over two million attendees. The operation, codenamed “Fake Monster,” targeted a group that had been recruiting individuals online to carry out attacks using improvised explosives, aiming to gain notoriety on social media.
The suspects reportedly disseminated hate speech and violent content online, with a particular focus on targeting Brazil’s LGBTQ community. Rio Police Chief Luiz Lima stated that the group aimed to attract more viewers and participants—many of them teenagers and children—by spreading such content.
Despite the arrests occurring hours before the event, the concert proceeded without disruption. Lady Gaga’s team was unaware of the threat during the show, learning about it only the following morning. A spokesperson confirmed that they had worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert, and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.
Security was heightened for the event, with 5,200 military and police officers deployed to ensure the safety of attendees. The concert featured performances of Gaga’s classic hits, including “Born This Way,” an anthem celebrated by the LGBTQ community.
Source: Al Jazeera
