IS CORN KID DEAD? THE TRUTH BEHIND THE VIRAL RUMOR
Emma Johnson
Updated on February 10, 2026
Corn Kid is the nickname given to Tariq, a seven-year-old boy who became an internet sensation in 2022 after a video of him expressing his love for corn went viral on social media. The video, which was posted by the YouTube channel Recess Therapy, showed Tariq talking about his favorite food, games, and subjects in school. He said that he loved corn ever since he found out that it was real, and that it tasted even better with butter. He also revealed that he had a missing front tooth, which made it harder for him to eat corn.
The video captured the hearts of millions of people, who found Tariq’s enthusiasm and innocence adorable and hilarious. The video has been viewed over 3.3 million times on YouTube, and over 23 million times on TikTok. Tariq also inspired many memes, songs, and edits on various platforms. He even got featured in a Chipotle commercial, and was declared as the “Corn-bassador” for South Dakota by the state’s governor.
However, in September 2022, a disturbing rumor started to circulate on the internet, claiming that Tariq, aka Corn Kid, had died in a gang-related shooting. The rumor was based on a fake news article that was edited to look like it was from NPR, and it said that Tariq was “discovered dead last Sunday”. The article was shared by many people on Twitter, Facebook, and other sites, and it caused a lot of confusion and sadness among the fans of Corn Kid.
How the Rumor Started and Why It Is False
The rumor about Corn Kid’s death was started by a malicious prankster, who edited an existing news article about Tariq and changed the headline and the content to make it look like he had been killed. The original article was titled “Meet South Dakota’s new corn-bassador, a boy who recently found out that corn is real”, and it was written by Dustin Jones for NPR. The article talked about Tariq’s viral fame, and how he was honored by the state of South Dakota for his love of corn.
The prankster changed the headline to “7-year-old Corn Kid discovered dead last Sunday in gang-related shooting”, and added some fake details about how Tariq was shot by a rival gang member while he was playing outside his home. The prankster also changed the author’s name to Dustin Johnson, and added a fake date of September 26, 2022. The prankster then took a screenshot of the edited article, and posted it on social media, pretending that it was a real news report.
The screenshot quickly spread on the internet, and many people believed that it was true. Some people expressed their condolences and outrage, while others questioned the credibility and the source of the article. However, the rumor was soon debunked by several fact-checking websites, such as Sportskeeda, Distractify, and HITC, who pointed out the inconsistencies and the errors in the fake article. They also confirmed that Tariq was alive and well, and that there was no evidence or report of any shooting involving him.
How Corn Kid Is Doing Now and What His Future Holds
Corn Kid is not dead, but he is alive and happy. He is still enjoying his fame and his corn, and he is regularly posting updates on his Instagram and TikTok accounts. He has over 1.4 million followers on TikTok, and over 300,000 followers on Instagram. He also has a YouTube channel, where he uploads videos of his adventures and his hobbies. He has collaborated with other celebrities and influencers, such as Addison Rae, James Charles, and David Dobrik. He has also appeared in several commercials and events, such as the Crocs Week of Wonders, and the South Dakota Corn Palace.
Corn Kid has a bright future ahead of him, as he continues to entertain and inspire millions of people with his personality and his passion. He is also a role model for other kids, as he shows them how to be confident and positive. He is also a proud ambassador for corn, and he hopes to spread his love for the delicious and nutritious food to the world. He is Corn Kid, and he is here to stay.
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