Fish Stomping Incident
 | The subject of or contents of "Fish Stomping Incident" are potentially offensive and/or controversial. Viewer discretion is advised. |
 | Joshua Block has been deemed to be an unreliable narrator. Reason: Joshua has provided conflicting statements about the incident, raising doubts about his credibility. This applies to all claims made regarding the fish and the circumstances surrounding the event. Bear this in mind and think before taking their statements at face value. |
 | "Fish Stomping Incident" has video(s) that are in need of transcription, or need to have their transcript checked for quality so it can be to the standards of the wiki. See Daniel Larson Wiki:Transcripts for more information. |
| “ | I'm gonna bash his brains out! | ” |
| — Josh while stomping the fish | ||
Perhaps the earliest and most infamous incident, the June 2021 Fish-Stomping Incident occurred when Josh was filmed stomping on a live fish until it died, while laughing gleefully. This footage, posted around June 2, 2021, quickly gained attention online. In the video, Josh appeared to show little concern for the fish, smiling and seemingly enjoying the act, even making cruel jokes while doing it. This event is widely regarded as possibly the earliest example of Josh’s disregard for life and animal cruelty, marking a significant moment in his online history. This event is also notable as is occured during the Coffee and Boba Era, before the alcoholism began.
Background
Josh was at the peak of his mainstream TikTok fame at the time of this incident, having recently appeared on Sidetalk, where he declared, "I got Louis Vuitton because I'm BANNED from the Gucci store."
The Incident
The incident took place near the intersection of W Main Street and Holbrook Road in Patchogue, New York. A fan who had recently caught a bluegill fish approached Josh and asked him to release the fish back into the water on video. What was intended to be a lighthearted or wholesome moment instead turned into a disturbing episode that would tarnish Josh’s public image.
Instead of releasing the live fish, Josh grabbed it and ran a few steps away before violently throwing it onto the ground. He proceeded to stomp on it repeatedly while laughing, a behavior rarely seen from him. He then picked up the fish and slammed it onto the pavement multiple times, making comments such as, "The dirty pond isn't right for you" and "I'm gonna bash his brains out." Even after the fish was clearly lifeless, Josh continued to stomp on it. He concluded the episode with a macabre joke, calling the mangled fish, "your tuna salad." The fan who handed him the fish initially laughed awkwardly but quickly grew uncomfortable, audibly expressing disbelief and distress.
Response from Fans
| “ | He accused me, he framed me. I apologize. | ” |
| — Josh, half-heartedly addressing the fish-stomping controversy during a livestream. | ||
The incident became widely criticized, and Josh later responded with several apologies. Josh's initial response was defensive and inconsistent. In various videos and livestreams, he claimed the fish was dead, accused the fan of trying to exploit him, and said he had been dared to act. In a separate video, he asked the public to move on and stop the backlash. At one point, he stated he would "call the police for bullying me" and expressed concern that the controversy would ruin his reputation.
Many viewers speculated about Josh’s mental state, with some suggesting sociopathic tendencies due to the apparent enjoyment he displayed. Others attempted to rationalize the behavior by citing his autism or suggesting the fish was already dead, though the video showed clear signs the fish had been alive.
The controversy escalated when a New York City hotel Josh was staying at was SWATted after someone falsely reported a bomb threat during his livestream. This led to Josh being kicked out of the hotel, though the manager later apologized and provided compensation.
Ban
Josh's primary TikTok account, @worldoftshirts, was temporarily banned following mass reports, prompting him to post a tearful apology on an alternate account. The apology focused largely on his desire to recover his account rather than expressing sincere remorse for his actions.
The Livestream
Josh’s livestream response became a focal point of the incident. In it, he oscillated between defiance and pleas for forgiveness:
- "I was set up by the guy recording me—it was a dead fish, I swear!"
- "You can’t cancel me; I’ve got a monopoly on NYC roaming videos!"
- "Just forget about it, stop hating on me—I didn’t mean it like that."
Throughout the stream, Josh appeared agitated, repeatedly asking viewers to drop the issue while doubling down on his claim of being framed. The livestream only fueled further debate, with many viewers unconvinced by his explanations.
Aftermath
Following the incident, Josh faced significant online backlash, with users accusing him of animal cruelty and questioning his character. His apologies were met with skepticism, particularly after his TikTok comment about being "dared" surfaced, which many saw as an attempt to deflect responsibility. The swatting incident added another layer of chaos, though it was quickly resolved with the hotel’s apology.
The event marked a turning point for Josh’s online reputation. While he retained some supporters who accepted his "set up" narrative, a larger portion of the community viewed the incident as a clear example of his disregard for accountability. His claim of an NYC roaming video "monopoly" became a point of mockery, and the controversy lingered as a stain on his digital presence.
Video
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Transcript
Transcript
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[Joshua is on a livestream, addressing the fish-stomping video. His tone is defensive and erratic.] Joshua: "Alright, listen up, everyone—I’m tired of this hate. That fish? It was already dead, okay? The guy recording told me it was dead, and I was set up! This was a total setup to cancel me!" [He pauses, looking at the camera with a smirk.] Joshua: "And guess what? You can’t cancel me. I’ve got a monopoly on NYC roaming videos—nobody does it like me. So just forget about it, alright? Stop hating!" [He grows more animated, raising his voice.] Joshua: "I didn’t even do anything wrong! They dared me to do it—someone dared me! And now you’re all acting like I’m some monster. It’s ridiculous!" [He sighs, running a hand through his hair.] Joshua: "Look, I’m sorry if it upset you, but it wasn’t my fault. Just drop it already—I’m not going anywhere!" |
References
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldOfTShirts/comments/1dlbdwq/this_was_the_start_of_joshes_down_fall/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button [2] https://youtube.com/shorts/BHJzNHzNxWQ?si=ZNAZcpBFFJNUSrxV [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMfExZ1SVXE [4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHJzNHzNxWQ [5] https://twitter.com/nets1311/status/1400977181476589571?t=36iOtkjnorlevhOHPYyF-w&s=19 [6] https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldOfTShirts/comments/13k762l/fish_incident/ [7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JULOXov8FLc [8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt01AP3nU4w [9] https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldOfTShirts/comments/1d8uqdx/3_year_anniversary_of_the_fish_incident/