Five Years of Black Lives Matter: Top conspiracy theories about death of George Floyd

It has been five years since the death of George Floyd shook the world and ignited a wave of racial justice protests across the globe. The Black Lives Matter movement surged into mainstream consciousness after footage of Floyd’s fatal encounter with Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin went viral. But alongside the public outcry and push for police reform came a parallel campaign of conspiracy theories. Many of these narratives have been promoted to discredit the movement, defend Chauvin, or stir political division. As discussions resurface around a potential presidential pardon for Chauvin, here are the top conspiracy theories that have circulated about George Floyd’s death. Here we are examining who spread them, why they took hold, and how they were debunked.

1. George Floyd died of a drug overdose , not Police restraint
This is the most persistent and widely circulated conspiracy theory. Promoted by right-wing commentators, pro-police activists, and social media influencers, the claim suggests that George Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose rather than police violence. It hinges on the toxicology report showing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other substances in Floyd’s system. However, both the official autopsy by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner and an independent autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family concluded that Floyd’s death was a homicide caused by law enforcement restraint. During Derek Chauvin’s trial, multiple medical experts testified that Floyd’s behavior and physical signs did not match those of someone overdosing. They emphasized that Floyd’s death resulted from low oxygen levels due to prolonged compression of his neck and back, not drugs. The overdose theory was decisively rejected in court, yet it continues to circulate in efforts to minimise Chauvin’s role and shift blame away from the police.


2. Floyd and Chauvin had a personal feud
This theory emerged after it was revealed that both Floyd and Chauvin had worked security at the same nightclub years before the fatal encounter. Some speculated that Chauvin acted out of personal animosity or a vendetta, framing the incident as a targeted killing rather than one rooted in systemic police abuse. Independent investigators looked into these claims but found no credible evidence that the two men had overlapping shifts or any direct interaction at the venue. While intriguing to conspiracy theorists and crime show fans, this theory lacks substantiation and was not presented as fact in court.


3. The death was timed to distract from COVID-19 or the 2020 presidential elections election
A more politically framed conspiracy argued that Floyd’s death was conveniently timed to serve as a distraction from either the U.S. government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic or to derail Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. Right-wing influencers and political commentators pushed this theory as protests gained momentum, suggesting media coverage was coordinated to manipulate public attention. However, the timeline of events clearly shows that Floyd’s death stemmed from a spontaneous police call about an alleged counterfeit bill, not from any politically orchestrated effort. Surveillance and bodycam footage prove the encounter was not planned, and there is no evidence of any larger coordination.


4. The death was staged as a false flag operation
Among the more extreme claims is the idea that Floyd’s death was orchestrated as a “false flag” operation. This narrative took root in QAnon circles, conspiracy forums like 4chan, and on fringe YouTube channels. Proponents claimed the entire incident was planned by “deep state” actors to incite racial unrest, destabilize America, or distract from other global events. This theory was fuelled by distrust in mainstream media and government institutions, often citing “coincidences” or supposed inconsistencies in video footage. However, verified real-time footage from multiple sources, along with court-admissible bodycam videos, public eyewitness accounts, and police records, all confirm that the event was authentic and unplanned. There is no evidence to suggest that Floyd’s death was staged.


5. Derek Chauvin was not a real Police Officer
Another viral claim was that Derek Chauvin was not a legitimate police officer but a “crisis actor” wearing a fake uniform. This theory was commonly spread on YouTube, Telegram channels, and social media platforms frequented by conspiracy theorists. Claims included that his badge number was missing or incorrect and that his demeanour was inconsistent with trained officers. However, these assertions fall apart when confronted with basic facts: Chauvin served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 19 years, had a full employment record, and wore standard-issue gear. His identity and role were confirmed in court and in official police documentation.


6. George Floyd is still alive
One of the most outlandish theories claimed that George Floyd faked his death and is still alive—possibly in hiding under government protection. This claim is part of a wider genre of “celebrity death hoaxes” that often emerge after high-profile deaths. It was popularized by conspiracy theory communities and QAnon supporters who posted grainy photos of supposed Floyd sightings. The theory ignores the extensive and transparent documentation of Floyd’s death, including the autopsy, death certificate, widely broadcast funeral services, and grieving family testimony. There is no evidence to support this claim, and it has been repeatedly debunked.


7. Masonic or Illuminati Symbolism Was Involved
Some conspiracy theorists, especially those steeped in numerology or occult symbolism, claimed that Floyd’s death bore hallmarks of an Illuminati or Freemason ritual. These narratives typically cited the date of the incident, Floyd’s tattoos, or perceived patterns in the media coverage as “coded messages.” These theories were propagated mainly on niche blogs and occult-themed YouTube channels. As with most numerology-based conspiracies, they rely heavily on subjective interpretation, cherry-picked patterns, and unfounded speculation. There is no evidence of any ritualistic or symbolic motive behind Floyd’s death.


8. The Counterfeit $20 Bill had secret symbolism
Because the police were called after Floyd allegedly used a counterfeit $20 bill, some theorists began scrutinizing the bill itself. A small group of online conspiracists suggested that the bill carried hidden symbols or messages, connecting it to a larger plot. These claims often drew from numerology, speculative pattern-seeking, or claims of Masonic symbolism on currency. Investigators, however, treated the counterfeit bill as incidental—it was simply the reason for the police call, not a symbol or clue in a wider scheme. There is no credible evidence to support claims of hidden meanings in the bill.


9. The autopsy was manipulated for political purposes
Some critics claimed that the autopsy results were doctored or politically manipulated to secure a conviction and appease the public. This narrative was popular in pro-Chauvin online communities and conservative media outlets. However, both the official autopsy and an independent one reached the same conclusion: Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by police restraint. Medical experts consistently testified that the level of drugs in Floyd’s system was not lethal and that the primary cause of death was asphyxiation. The consistency between independent and state-commissioned findings disproves any theory of medical manipulation.


10. Chauvin was a scapegoat in a politicised trial
Finally, one of the most politically charged narratives is the claim that Derek Chauvin was made a scapegoat to satisfy public outrage. Some conservative pundits and law enforcement unions argued that the jury was pressured by fear of riots or that media attention unfairly influenced the outcome. They suggested Chauvin was convicted not because of guilt, but to calm the public. However, the trial was conducted under strict legal protocols, and the jury was screened for bias. The evidence presented—including multiple video angles, expert medical testimony, and eyewitness accounts—was overwhelming. Appeals to overturn the verdict have failed, reinforcing the legitimacy of the trial process.

Each of these conspiracy theories, while discredited by official autopsies and courtroom testimony, continues to command attention and belief in some quarters. Their persistence is not merely accidental; they are sustained by deep political divides, social distrust, and the powerful amplification of digital echo chambers. To many, these theories offer alternative narratives that resonate with ideological grievances or a desire to question institutional narratives. Still, despite the traction they have gained, the foundational facts remain unchanged: George Floyd died because a police officer knelt on his neck for over nine minutes. The theories may reflect broader anxieties or cultural rifts, but they do not change the medical, legal, and moral reality of what occurred.