A Billionaire Set The Record For The Most Retweets Ever After Promising To Give Away Almost $1 Million

Social media might not be considered a drug by most but I don’t think the label is too inaccurate when you consider millions of people are constantly checking their phone for notifications in search of a quick boost of dopamine.

It’s no secret a lot of people will do anything for a like— even if it means dying in the process. However, any seasoned social media user knows there’s one form of virtual acknowledgment that trumps all of the rest: the almighty retweet.

For years, people have been doing everything they can to harness the power of the retweet in an attempt to go viral— including Ellen Degeneres, who set the record for the most reshared tweet of all time with the help of some friends at the Oscars in 2014.

However, that tweet was eventually dethroned by a dude named Carter Wilkinson, who was promised free Wendy’s chicken nuggets for a year if he could hit 1 million retweets.

Wilkerson garnered over 3.5 million retweets after his plea and set a new record in the process. However, a new champion has emerged.

According to Gizmodo, a Japanese billionaire named Yusaku Maezawa— the same man who Elon Musk will be sending to the Moon— recently got so thirsty for attention online that he hopped on the platform and promised to give away almost $1 million to people who retweeted and followed him.

On the off chance you’re not proficient in Japanese, here’s a translation:

“With a daily appreciation, I will give 100 million yen (total of gifts million yen) in cash. The only way to apply is to follow me and RT this tweet. The reception is up to 1/7. I will direct DM from me to the winner!”

Almost 5.5 million people retweeted the message in an attempt to get their hands on part of the $920,000 pot, which will be distributed to 100 lucky users (assuming Maezawa follows through on his offer).

I’m so glad I found out about this tweet after the deadline past. So, so glad.