GameStop Quietly Takes Down An Iconic 9/11 Photo NFT Ripoff After Public Backlash

When GameStop announced it was getting into NFTs in May this year, many figured it was a matter of time until the company (like others before it) found a way to tick off its customers. That being said, few could have predicted how they'd eventually do it.

Over the weekend, ResetEra and gaming websites reported that GameStop was hosting an NFT that was a clear ripoff of the original "Falling Man" photo, a harrowing and controversial photograph taken of a man falling from one of the burning Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001.

The NFT, which was called "Falling Man," depicted an astronaut falling between parallel white-and-black lines and appalled those who came across it. In ResetEra, users called the NFT "beyond appalling" and expressed their disgust with other, expletive-laden comments. Many on Twitter agreed with the backlash it received.

Just when you thought the NFT scam couldn’t sink any lower.https://t.co/oxiIIxKeGN

— Jean-Paul R. Soucy 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 (@JPSoucy) July 22, 2022

Was told about the 9/11 falling man NFT GameStop was putting out and thought it was a joke. It appears to be real. What a disgusting company.

— Foxxy Steve 🏳️‍🌈 (@SteveFoxxy) July 24, 2022

So, one of the most famous photos from 9/11, “The Falling Man” is now an NFT and I physically feel sick.

My heart goes out to his family and friends today as they watch the world put a dollar value on the last seconds of their loved ones life like a trading card. I’m so sorry.

— Monicaaaa 🍃🦋✨ (@MonicaRachea) July 24, 2022

"Falling Man" remained on GameStop's website for 11 days, peaking at a price of $749 worth of ETH before GameStop delisted it and forbade the creator, Jules, from minting on the platform.