Whew! Kai Cenat Gets Green Light for Second Giveaway After Union Square Mayhem
Kai Cenat’s redemption arc is in full effect—and this time, it’s officially approved by the city. After his first NYC giveaway spiraled into a full-blown riot, the 23-year-old Twitch superstar linked up with Mayor Eric Adams to talk second chances, community love, and how to run it back the right way.
In a now-viral clip, Cenat is seen having a sit-down with Mayor Adams. The vibe was respectful but real. “Is there a world where I can ever give back on a big scale but the right way?” Cenat asked.
Adams came through with a solid “yes” and gave props to past large-scale events that went smoothly, like the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves boxing match that took over Times Square. “A couple hundred thousand people” showed up, and according to Adams, it worked because it was “coordinated with the city.”
That’s the difference right there. Adams emphasized that Cenat’s platform is powerful now—and with that influence comes a new level of responsibility.
“Now that you see your influence, now you have moved to another level. You can’t still do it on the level that you did before ‘cause now you blowing up,” Adams explained. “Now you sit down with my team, I get the agencies involved, you map out what your plan is. … Now you got the city in alignment to make sure you can execute the plan that you want.”
Cenat looked motivated. He told the Mayor, “It would be fire if I did it the right way—did it one more time for the people.”
Flashback: Cenat’s First Giveaway Sparked Chaos in Union Square
Let’s rewind to August 2023. Kai Cenat announced a surprise PlayStation 5 giveaway at Union Square in Manhattan—and what was meant to be a fun moment for fans turned into chaos.
Crowds grew fast, and NYPD was overwhelmed. There were reports of vandalism, fights, and property damage. Cenat didn’t have a permit or police coordination, which led to his arrest. He was charged with two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. The moment was captured everywhere, from livestreams to major news sites, painting the viral influencer as reckless in the eyes of the public.
Fast forward to May 2024, and Cenat’s legal issues were put to bed after he reached a deal: pay $55,000 and issue a formal public apology.
“I apologize for the disruption and damage to the community, the park, the vehicles, and the storefronts in the area,” Cenat said in a statement. “I recognize this gathering impacted business owners and their employees by interfering with their ability to do business that afternoon thereby compromising their livelihoods. I apologize to the first responders who had to endure the backlash of this irresponsible promotion and work to restore calm.”
It was a big moment for the streamer—owning up, growing, and learning from his mistake. And now? He’s back with city support and a plan that’s giving “healed era.”
What This Means for NYC and the Power of Social Media Influence
Cenat’s influence is undeniable. With millions of followers across platforms, his every move draws crowds and headlines. But what’s different now is his approach—he’s choosing collaboration over chaos.
Mayor Adams stepping in to work with him shows a shift in how the city is dealing with online stars. Instead of shutting them down, NYC is recognizing their cultural power and giving them a seat at the table—on the condition that they do things right.