Buzz Aldrin Punching A Conspiracy Theorist Who Repeatedly Accused Him Of Faking Moon Landing Is Still As Iconic As Ever

Last month, the Texas-based Intuitive Machines made headlines with their successful landing near the Moon's south pole, marking the first American lunar touchdown in over half a century.

This significant event follows over 50 years since one of the country’s proudest moments; the Apollo 11 mission. 

It was back in July 1969, launching from Cape Kennedy, that Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin were sent to the Moon.

Buzz Aldrin now gives talks on space travel. Credit: Jim Bennett/Getty

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 made its historic landing on the Moon. 

Then, on July 21, just over six hours later, Aldrin and Armstrong stepped out of the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle, becoming the first humans to walk on the lunar surface.

Despite this, conspiracy theorists are louder than ever, insisting that the Apollo 11 mission was a hoax.

Documentary filmmaker Bart Sibrel is among the most vocal skeptics. He even received a punch from Aldrin in 2002 when he confronted the astronaut.

Footage that has come to light again shows Aldrin, then 72, being harassed by Sibrel, who demands Aldrin "swear on the Bible" about the Moon landing's authenticity.

In the footage, Aldrin is seen trying to walk away while Sibrel follows him, refusing to let up.

As things heat up, a hotel concierge steps in to calm things down, while Aldrin, clearly annoyed, asks Sibrel to back off and even mentions calling the police.

Despite Aldrin’s efforts to walk away, Sibrel keeps pushing his conspiracy theories.

He accuses Aldrin of lying about walking on the Moon, which leads to Aldrin landing a right hook on him.

Before the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, Sibrel claimed he had evidence that the event was staged.

He said he had documents listing 15 government personnel who supposedly had access to the staged Moon landing and the name of the secret operation.

Sibrel hasn’t revealed his source, who allegedly feared for his life and asked for the information to be kept secret until ten years after his death.

Speaking to The Sun, Sibrel called the conspiracy "the most symbolic of government arrogance."

Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr. in 1969. Credit: Space Frontiers/Getty

He argued, "It was totally 100 percent contrived - none of it is true - yet they held ticker-tape parades for these guys and gave them congressional medals of honor. It was a needless lie, really just done for no reason other than arrogance and greed. And it makes a sucker out of every American who believes it's true."

He further claimed: "What the United States government is claiming is that they sent astronauts a thousand times farther than they can send them today, with fifty-year-old technology and on the very first attempt, with all of NASA containing one-millionth the computing power of a cell phone."

"The alleged Moon landings are the only technological claim in the entire history of the world that was not far surpassed fifty years later."

According to Sibrel, supposed photos from the Moon landing appear to be manipulated.

He points out inconsistencies in the shadows on the Moon, which he believes could only be produced in a studio with artificial light.

Sibrel also mentions the Van Allen radiation belt, arguing it's too radioactive for humans to pass through unharmed.

He concludes: "If it were not for people's emotional attachment to the alleged Moon landings, this fifty-year unrepeatable claim, also with only one-thousandth the distance capable five decades later, would also be easily recognized as the fraud that it sadly is."

"This truth is being deliberately repressed to hide the enormous and arrogant corruption of the federal government."

But was the Moon landing faked? Most experts say no, providing scientific evidence to counter conspiracy theories.

Yet, it seems this debate might just go on for another 50 years...