A US-based social media influencer has sparked widespread backlash after filming himself handing out large machetes and alcohol to homeless people across several cities in a bid to gain online attention.
29-year-old Keith Castillo, who operates under the handle “povwolfy,” went viral over Thanksgiving after posting videos showing him distributing 18-inch machetes, vodka, Fireball whiskey shooters, and even loose cigarettes to homeless individuals in places like Austin, New Orleans, and Little Rock.
One of the videos — posted to TikTok and Instagram — racked up more than 14 million views before his TikTok account was taken down.
“Here, want one of these?”
In the footage, Castillo can be heard offering the weapons to homeless individuals, many of whom eagerly accepted. In one clip, a woman even asked for a second machete.
He captioned one of the posts:
“Keeping the homeless in the streets.”
Castillo later told reporters that he bought the stainless-steel machetes in bulk for under $5 each, and that he currently has around 30 machetes in his car, adding with a laugh, “Dude, they’re cheap.”
Alcohol, “Big Ass Swords,” and Viral Shock Value
Another video posted on November 22 shows Castillo handing out unwrapped machetes along with handles of vodka on a street in New Orleans.
In a November 20 clip, he distributed seven “big ass swords,” claiming it was meant to keep homeless people safe.
But not everyone agreed.
One viewer commented:
“Keeping them safe [no], making them dangerous [yes].”
Another asked:
“How does this seem like a good idea?”
Castillo Claims It’s Harmless — Critics Strongly Disagree
Castillo insists he is not doing anything wrong or dangerous, saying police in multiple cities told him it was legal to hand out the weapons.
“These are for, like, tool purposes,” he said. “They have zero intent for what people are claiming.”
As for distributing alcohol to people who may struggle with substance abuse, Castillo was blunt:
“Honestly I really don’t care bro, it’s good for the clicks and views… Gotta do what we have to do so we eat.”
Law enforcement experts, however, called it a reckless move.
Retired NYPD Sergeant and John Jay College professor Joseph Giacalone said:
“That sounds like a cocktail for disaster — alcohol and machetes. Could we get any dumber?”
While owning a machete is legal in most US states, open alcohol containers in public spaces — especially in cities like New York, where Castillo plans to go next — can still get homeless individuals into trouble.
Nationwide Tour of Shock Content
Castillo says he has been on a “nationwide tour” since October, “bulk recording” content in each city before moving on for his safety.
So far, he has filmed similar stunts in:
- Austin
- New Orleans
- Little Rock
He plans to take the same act to Las Vegas, Los Angeles’ Skid Row, and New York City.
His Instagram pages, where he has over 50,000 and 147,000 followers respectively, feature multiple similar videos — all captioned “keeping the homeless on the streets.”
“They’re Just Skits,” He Claims
Following heavy criticism, Castillo told the Daily Mail that the videos are actually skits, and that he takes the machetes back from homeless individuals after filming.
He also blamed the backlash on public prejudice toward homeless people.
Ongoing Concern
Police departments in Austin, Little Rock, and New Orleans did not comment on the videos, and New York authorities haven’t yet addressed Castillo’s plans to bring his machete-and-whiskey stunt to the city.
But online, the outrage continues — with many calling the act dangerous, manipulative, and exploitative toward vulnerable communities simply for content and clicks.
