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A video of a Chicago Cubs fan smacking someone over the national anthem is going viral
A video of an older Chicago Cubs fan smacking a younger patron for apparently not standing up during the national anthem has gone viral on social media. The video was taken during the game between the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins on Saturday, July 19.
As the Jersey Girls were performing “The Star Spangled Banner” before the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins game on July 19, an older man wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey was recorded on camera assaulting another attendee. The assailant seemingly took issue with the victim not standing during the anthem.
Neither the slapper nor the slapee have been identified at this time.
A video of an older Chicago Cubs fan smacking a younger man over a national anthem dispute is going viral on social media
Guy at a Chicago Cubs game refuses to stand during the National Anthem!
The guy behind him gets pissed and does this…. pic.twitter.com/C4iKqPX7Co
— Brandon (@LibOrNormal) July 20, 2026
According to TMZ, Chicago police are aware of the viral video but an official report has not been filed. Chicago authorities are awaiting for the incident to be officially filed before elevating their response.
The video has split opinions on social media, with more conservative-minded people hailing the slapper as a “patriot,” while others believe he crossed a line by putting his hands on a stranger without a valid reason.
“Violating someones first amendment right while also assaulting them in the name of patriotism,” one viral tweet sarcastically summarized.
“This hero should never pay for another beer at a ball game ever again,” a supporter conversely argued.
Patriot! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/B5TYqvlnGY
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) July 20, 2026
Neither one of us would’ve seen the first pitch. https://t.co/BZpDzqHs3i
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) July 20, 2026
What’s ironic about this video is that while the aggressor likely believes he’s standing up for American values, he’s actually displaying the antithesis of them. America is about free speech, and thus the right to chose whether or not you want to engage in the performance of the national anthem at a sporting event. Whether or not you agree with it is a matter of personal opinion, and you can’t go around slapping people because your opinions differ.
As for the game itself, the Cubs beat the Twins by a score of 10-1 and have a 56-44 record on the season, which currently puts them second in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers and first in the National League wild card race.