Gavin McInnes reemerges in Riviera after allegedly faking his own arrest on air

Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, 52, has popped up on a boat in the south of France after faking his own arrest on air.

The Canadian writer and media mogul posted a shirtless pic of himself in floral swim trunks at the helm of a boat with a cool beer on Monday in Marseille, where he is vacationing with his family according to a report in LA Magazine.

McInnes is being swarmed with criticism for allegedly staging his own arrest two weeks ago during a live-taping of his ‘Get Off My Lawn’ podcast. 

On a recent broadcast of his show McInnes appeared rattled when some unwelcome visitors barged into the Bronx, New York studio where he films. 

While still on air McInnes could be heard saying ‘We’re shooting a show, can we do this another time?’

Tension heightened when the host could then be heard saying, ‘I didn’t let you in,’ before mysteriously disappearing from the live shot.

Hoards of his online followers questioned where he had gone and who had taken him.

The incident prompted online users, fans, and pundits to question whether the weaponization of law enforcement against right-wing public figures will be allowed to continue unchecked. 

But things unraveled quickly for the commentator and cultural critic known for his big personality when a now-former friend exposed him online.

A conversation between comedian Owen Benjamin and McInnes reveals that the Proud Boys founder staged his arrest as a ‘prank’ with no plans to tell his audience it wasn’t real

Days after McInnes’ apparent apprehension by the coppers, comedian Owen Benjamin posted a screenshot of a text conversation between himself and McInnes.

McInnes appears to reveal to Benjamin that the on-air arrest was a ‘prank,’ but he will ‘never’ tell his audience. 

Benjamin asked McInnes: ‘So ur just gonna pretend the fbi raided ur studio? Tons of people are texting me freaking out.’

‘I never said they did,’ replied McInnes.

The final part of the exchange appears to be McInnes confronting Benjamin about revealing his ‘prank.’

‘Did you spill the beans? Looks like you did. We’re done,’ wrote McInnes.

McInnes pictured allegedly faking an interaction with law enforcement during a live taping of his podcast

McInnes has been accused by former friends and supporters of staging the arrest for attention and to stoke fear of law enforcement among conservative circles

The September 5 picture of McInnes floating in the Riviera is the first time he’s broken his silence since the allegedly staged confrontation with law enforcement. 

The New York Police Department has confirmed none of its officers arrested McInnes, and the FBI has refused to comment.

Prominent conservative figures getting swatted has become something of a trend and sometimes it even happens while they are speaking directly to their viewers. 

Former White House strategist and Trump advisor Steve Bannon has been swatted twice in the last few months, the first time reportedly taking place while he was live on air.

The reveal of McInnes’ ‘prank’ was met with angst from fellow Censored.TV host Josh Denny, formerly of the Food Network.

‘Any ‘comedian’ that tanks another guy’s bit before it’s finished is just a jealous, bitter c–t,’ wrote Denny, taking a swipe at Owen.

He added that ‘Good comedians take risks’ and any comedian who is putting ‘pride and principle over creativity’ and ‘innovation’ is ‘serving the wrong master,’ in what seems to be a defense of McInnes’ attempted hoax.

Denny and McInnes will soon kick off a comedy tour together.