Police foil bomb plot at Lady Gaga concert

Brazilian police say they thwarted a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga concert at Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state, in collaboration with the justice ministry, revealed that suspects had recruited individuals to execute the attack using improvised explosive devices in a bid to gain notoriety on social media.

Authorities confirmed the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the plot, as well as a teenager.

The adult suspect was detained in Rio Grande do Sul for illegal firearm possession, while the teenager was arrested in Rio for storing child pornography.

Both are also accused of spreading hate speech targeting children, adolescents, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Investigators stated that the suspects had been promoting the radicalisation of teenagers through online groups, encouraging self-harm and violent content framed as a challenge and form of social belonging.

Search warrants were issued across four Brazilian states—Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo, leading to the seizure of electronic devices and other materials.

Dubbed “Operation Fake Monster”, the police operation followed a tip-off from state intelligence, which uncovered extremist online activity among youth using coded language and radical symbols.

The suspects reportedly identified themselves as fans of Lady Gaga, known globally as “Little Monsters.”

A spokesperson for Lady Gaga told The Hollywood Reporter that her team only became aware of the threat through media reports after the show had ended on Saturday.

“Before and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks,” the statement said.

Despite the plot, the concert went ahead safely, drawing a crowd of more than two million people. Funded by the city to help revitalise Rio’s economy, projected to generate $100 million (£75 million), the event saw a massive security presence, with 5,000 officers deployed, metal detectors, drones, and facial recognition cameras.

The elated Lady Gaga took to X to celebrate her fans in the historic turnout.

“Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you. An estimated 2.5 million people came to see me sing, the biggest crowd for any woman in history.”