THE PEOPLE / THE CONFRONTATION
Buzz Aldrin hit a hoax filmmaker in 2002.
RECORD / AT A GLANCE
FALSE
The punch was real, and it proves nothing about the Moon. Prosecutors found that Sibrel provoked it. Sibrel’s films rely on footage taken out of context.
THE EVENTS / THE CLAIM / THE RECORD
2001
Sibrel releases his film using Apollo 11 window footage.
September 2002
Sibrel follows Aldrin outside the Luxe Hotel; Aldrin punches him.
September 2002
The district attorney declines to prosecute.
READ THE FILE
Why would an honest man swing a punch?
A planned ambush, and one punch.
Open an article for its evidence, labeled AI assessment and numbered sources. Read the complete static edition ↗
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THIS FILE
3 claims people make about this file, each rated documented, partly true, disputed, unproven or false. Think a rating is wrong? Use Dispute or Support, or join the Discussion.
Video shows one punch; no charges were filed.
Who says it: LA Times.
The DA’s office said he arranged to surprise Aldrin and called him a liar.
Who says it: LA Times.
It shows anger at being called a liar.
Who says it: Sibrel supporters.
OPEN THE RECORD
Numbered citations in each article identify the relevant sources. These records have different purposes and evidentiary weight.
Contemporary news report quoting the district attorney’s statement.
Independent Apollo-history site. Analyzes the window footage in Bart Sibrel’s 2001 film, with NASA frame numbers and transcript times.
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Why would an honest man swing a punch?
Sibrel asked astronauts to swear on a Bible that they had walked on the Moon. To his supporters, Aldrin’s punch was the reaction of a man who could not answer. [1][2]
Contemporary news report quoting the district attorney’s statement.
Independent Apollo-history site. Analyzes the window footage in Bart Sibrel’s 2001 film, with NASA frame numbers and transcript times.
A planned ambush, and one punch.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to file charges. Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Ratinoff said Sibrel “arranged to surprise Aldrin and challenge his integrity”, followed him, thrust a Bible at him and called him “a thief, liar and coward”. [1]
Video showed Aldrin hit Sibrel once in the face. Sibrel turned to his camera crew and asked whether they got that. He was not knocked down, had no visible injury and did not seek medical help. [1]
Aldrin was 72. Sibrel’s film relies on Apollo 11 footage through a window, which is answered on the Earth in the window page. [2]
Contemporary news report quoting the district attorney’s statement.
Independent Apollo-history site. Analyzes the window footage in Bart Sibrel’s 2001 film, with NASA frame numbers and transcript times.
Approved reader comments and ratings appear here when JavaScript is on.