Dec 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Media personality and socialite Kim Kardashian in attendance as the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the In Season Tournament quarterfinal at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Kim Kardashian has never been one to shy away from controversy, but her latest theory has even her most devoted fans scratching their heads. During Thursday’s episode of The Kardashians, the reality star and entrepreneur cast doubt on one of the most thoroughly documented moments in modern history: the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Speaking with actor Sarah Paulson on the set of their upcoming Hulu series All’s Fair, Kardashian suggested the event was faked — part of a grand Cold War-era illusion staged by NASA and broadcast to the world.
Kim K Goes Down The Rabbit Hole
Jan 18, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kim Kardashian reacts during the NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
“I don’t think we did. I think it was fake,” Kardashian said when pressed by a producer. “I’ve seen a few videos of Buzz Aldrin talking about how it didn’t happen. He says it all the time now, in interviews. Why does Buzz Aldrin say it didn’t happen? There’s no gravity on the moon — why is the flag blowing? The shoes that they have in the museum that they wore on the moon have a different footprint than the photos. Why are there no stars?”
This Isn’t A New Conspiracy Theory
The so-called “moon hoax” theory has existed since the early 1970s, but Kardashian’s comments represent one of the most high-profile endorsements of the idea in recent memory. She cited what she described as slip-ups from astronaut Buzz Aldrin — including one video where he mentions the use of animated sequences during the 1969 broadcast — as proof that the mission was faked. In reality, Aldrin was explaining how television networks used animations to help illustrate the mission for viewers, since NASA couldn’t transmit live video from space until the lunar module landed.
Kardashian Really Wants Sarah Paulson To Rethink The Moon Landing
Sep 15, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sarah Paulson at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Kevork Djansezian-USA TODAY
Kardashian, 45, told Paulson that she planned to send her “a million articles” backing up her theory. “I think [Aldrin] just got old and stopped pretending,” she said, claiming that the astronaut’s “facade has slipped.” Paulson, to her credit, appeared skeptical but polite, promising only to do a “massive deep dive” on her co-star’s claims.
Of Course This Is Going Viral
Jul 21, 2023; Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA; Kim Kardashian poses for a selfie before the match between Inter Miami CF and Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The episode quickly went viral online, reigniting decades-old debates about conspiracy thinking — and about Kardashian’s enormous influence over her audience. While it’s not unusual for celebrities to flirt with wild ideas, few command the reach that Kardashian does. With more than 360 million followers on Instagram and millions more on TikTok, her endorsement of a fringe theory has the potential to spread it to an entirely new generation of fans.
Will This Lead To A Spike In Conspiracy Beliefs?
Experts say that’s exactly the danger. “When a celebrity of that stature casually repeats misinformation, it’s not harmless,” said Dr. Megan Malloy, a media literacy researcher at UCLA. “It signals to her fans that skepticism toward scientific achievement is a kind of personality trait — like being edgy or independent.” As with most things Kardashian, it’s entirely possible this is about attention, not belief. Conspiratorial flirtations have long been a tool for celebrities to generate conversation, and few understand how to command the spotlight quite like her.
