So here's the deal—you’ve probably heard the phrase “burger king crown guy” floating around the internet. No, it’s not about fast food or some quirky fashion statement. It’s about a real-life incident that turned into a viral sensation, and for all the wrong reasons. A man wearing a cardboard Burger King crown made headlines after a disturbing display of racism on a JetBlue flight, sparking outrage, memes, and conversations about public behavior and accountability.
It all started in October 2020 when a JetBlue flight from Jamaica to New York became the backdrop for a shocking scene. A white man, wearing a flimsy Burger King crown, began shouting racial slurs at fellow passengers. The incident was recorded and quickly spread across social media platforms, gaining attention from news outlets and the public. The man, who later became known as the “burger king crown guy,” was removed from the flight and faced legal consequences.
This story isn’t just about one guy in a silly crown. It’s a reflection of how quickly a moment of misconduct can spiral into a digital firestorm. And it’s also a reminder that our actions—especially in public spaces—can have lasting impacts. Let’s break it all down and explore what really happened, why it went viral, and what we can learn from it.
Table of Contents
- Who Is the Burger King Crown Guy?
- What Happened on the JetBlue Flight?
- Why Did the Incident Go Viral?
- The Social Media Reaction
- Legal Consequences and Public Response
- Burger King Crown Guy in Meme Culture
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is the Burger King Crown Guy?
Despite all the attention, the identity of the Burger King Crown Guy remains largely unknown. Reports suggest the man was a white passenger who was traveling from Jamaica to New York on JetBlue Flight 1760. What made him stand out wasn’t just his behavior, but the fact that he was wearing a Burger King promotional crown—something you’d typically throw away after grabbing a burger.
He reportedly became angry after an interaction with a flight attendant. The exact trigger isn’t clear, but what followed was a verbal outburst filled with racial slurs directed at other passengers. The incident was recorded by fellow travelers, and the video quickly spread online.
While he wasn’t wearing a Burger King uniform, the crown became a symbol of his arrogance and entitlement. Some people online began associating the Burger King brand with the man’s behavior, even though the company had no connection to the incident. The crown, for many, became a metaphor for misplaced superiority and ignorance.
What Happened on the JetBlue Flight?
It was just another day for JetBlue Flight 1760, until it wasn’t. The man, wearing his Burger King crown, boarded the flight and shortly after, things began to escalate. Witnesses reported that he became increasingly agitated, eventually shouting at other passengers with racial slurs.
Flight attendants tried to de-escalate the situation, but when it became clear he wasn’t going to calm down, security was called. The man was removed from the plane before takeoff. The video of the incident shows him yelling, refusing to leave, and being escorted off by authorities.
What made the incident even more bizarre was the fact that it wasn’t the first time this man had caused a disturbance on a flight. Reports indicate he had been removed from another flight earlier under similar circumstances. This wasn’t just a one-off meltdown—it was a pattern of behavior.
Why Did the Incident Go Viral?
So, why did this particular incident catch fire online? Well, for starters, it had all the ingredients: a shocking act of racism, a ridiculous visual (the Burger King crown), and the raw emotion captured on video. It was the kind of content that people couldn’t look away from.
The video was picked up by celebrity gossip site TMZ and quickly spread across social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Memes started popping up, with users mocking the man’s behavior and the absurdity of the crown. It wasn’t long before hashtags like #BurgerKingCrownGuy and #JetBlueRacist started trending.
What also made it go viral was the broader context of the time. In 2020, the U.S. was in the midst of the pandemic and a wave of social justice protests. People were already hyper-aware of racism and public accountability. The Burger King Crown Guy became a symbol of how some individuals failed to act respectfully in public spaces.
The Social Media Reaction
Once the video hit social media, reactions were swift and passionate. Many users expressed outrage over the man’s behavior, while others used humor to cope. Memes featuring the Burger King crown guy flooded timelines, often poking fun at his actions and the absurdity of the situation.
Some users pointed out the irony of wearing a Burger King crown while acting like a “king” of racism. Others made comparisons to past viral incidents, like the infamous United Airlines passenger removal. The crown itself became a running joke, with people creating fake ads and editing it onto other celebrities or characters.
On Reddit, the story was widely discussed, particularly in subreddits like r/PublicFreakout and r/facepalm. Users debated whether the man’s actions were isolated or part of a larger issue of racial bias in travel. The conversation eventually spilled into mainstream news, with commentators weighing in on the incident and its implications.
Legal Consequences and Public Response
JetBlue took swift action, banning the man from flying with the airline again. Law enforcement also got involved, and the passenger was arrested for disorderly conduct. While the exact charges aren’t fully public, the man faced fines and possible jail time depending on local laws.
The public response was overwhelmingly negative. Many people called for stronger consequences for passengers who engage in racist behavior on flights. Some also expressed frustration that the incident wasn’t taken more seriously at first, especially given that the man had already been removed from another flight.
JetBlue released a statement condemning the behavior and reaffirming their commitment to a safe and respectful travel environment. The airline also pledged to work with law enforcement and review their procedures for handling disruptive passengers.
Burger King Crown Guy in Meme Culture
It didn’t take long for the Burger King Crown Guy to become a meme legend. The combination of the absurd crown and the man’s outburst created the perfect storm for internet humor. Meme creators quickly got to work, turning the incident into GIFs, image macros, and short videos.
Some memes compared him to fictional characters like the Joker or King Triton, while others used the crown as a metaphor for toxic masculinity or misplaced confidence. The phrase “burger king crown guy” became shorthand for anyone acting entitled or racist in public.
Interestingly, the meme culture surrounding the incident also served as a form of public shaming. While some of the humor was lighthearted, many memes also called attention to the seriousness of the man’s actions. In a way, the internet helped hold him accountable by making sure his behavior wasn’t forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Burger King Crown Guy?
The Burger King Crown Guy is an unidentified white man who caused a disturbance on a JetBlue flight in October 2020. He was wearing a Burger King promotional crown and shouted racial slurs at other passengers. He was removed from the flight and arrested.
Why did the Burger King Crown Guy go viral?
The incident went viral because of the shocking nature of the man’s racist outburst and the absurdity of him wearing a Burger King crown during the confrontation. The video was shared widely on social media and news platforms, sparking outrage and meme culture.
What happened to the Burger King Crown Guy after the flight?
JetBlue banned the man from flying with the airline again. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and likely faced legal consequences. His identity remains largely unknown, and no further updates have been released about his legal status.
Did Burger King respond to the incident?
Burger King did not officially respond to the incident. The man was not affiliated with the brand, and the crown he wore was likely a leftover promotional item. However, some people online mistakenly associated the brand with the man’s behavior.
Is the Burger King Crown Guy still relevant today?
While the incident happened in 2020, the Burger King Crown Guy remains a popular internet meme and reference in discussions about racism and public behavior. His story continues to be shared as a cautionary tale about accountability and respect in public spaces.
Learn more about viral travel incidents and how they shape public perception.
Check out this TMZ article for the original video footage and more details on the Burger King Crown Guy incident.



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