Tue Jan 07 01:40:00 IST 2025: ## Satirical “Enron CEO Pie-ing” Sparks Confusion Online

**NEW YORK, NY** – A video appearing to show the newly appointed CEO of the resurrected Enron brand being hit in the face with a pie has gone viral, sparking confusion and a flurry of online speculation. The image, originally shared on X and subsequently spreading across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, depicts a scene strikingly similar to the infamous 1998 pie attack on Bill Gates.

While some social media users reacted with amusement or even approval, others interpreted the incident as a serious event, potentially linking it to the recent shooting death of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson. These comments highlighted a perceived connection between the two events, fueled by the perceived similarity in circumstances and the timing of the pie incident roughly a week after the shooting.

However, fact-checking reveals the incident to be a sophisticated piece of satire. The “Enron CEO,” Connor Gaydos, is a performance artist who acquired the Enron trademark and created a new online presence for the company, characterized by self-aware parody and a stated commitment to entertainment. Gaydos and his company, The College Company LLC, are also known for their satirical “Birds Aren’t Real” conspiracy theory.

The rebranded Enron’s website, launched earlier in December, explicitly labels its content as “First Amendment protected parody” and “performance art.” The pie-ing, therefore, appears to be a staged event designed to further this satirical narrative, echoing the style of the Gates incident.

Despite the clarification, the viral spread of the image underscores the ease with which misinformation, even when clearly satirical, can circulate and be misinterpreted online. The College Company, responsible for the Enron rebranding, is reportedly planning a “The Enron Power Summit” on January 6th, further suggesting that the entire endeavor is a planned performance art piece. USA TODAY has reached out to Enron for comment but has yet to receive a response.

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