The internet never forgets—and a resurfaced video from 2024 has folks collectively gasping all over again. In the now-viral clip, respected scholar and political commentator Marc Lamont Hill is seen calmly speaking on stage when a woman casually walks up and pepper sprays him in the face. Yes, you read that right—on stage, mid-sentence, in front of a crowd.
Hill visibly flinches, stumbles back, and dives behind a curtain as the audience lets out a loud gasp. It’s shocking, surreal, and deeply unsettling to watch—even the second time around.
But what’s even more jaw-dropping is the reason behind the attack.
After the incident, Hill hopped on X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation. He confirmed that it actually happened back in January 2024, and he chose to stay quiet about it—until now.
I’m fine, everyone. The video of me being pepper sprayed was from January 2024. At the time, the attacker believed that I was part of a conspiracy (along with the CIA, Mumia Abu Jamal, and the president) to cover-up traumatic events from her childhood. Since then, after refusing…
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 12, 2025
The woman who attacked him allegedly believed he was involved in a bizarre, off-the-rails conspiracy theory involving the CIA, activist Mumia Abu-Jamal, and even the President of the United States.
Hill made it clear that the incident wasn’t about politics or a disagreement over beliefs—it was the result of someone acting on a disturbing delusion.
Thankfully, Hill wasn’t seriously hurt, but the moment serves as a reminder of how quickly things can escalate—and just how vulnerable public figures can be, even while doing something as simple as speaking their truth onstage.
Marc Lamont Hill mentioned on the Joe Budden podcast that he was pepper sprayed once while speaking. Welp JBTV found the files! ????????
(Notice how he tells them not to call the police proving MLH ain’t just talk )???? pic.twitter.com/FH0ID1f0vz— After Hours X JBTV (@JBTVSpaces) June 11, 2025
