Within recent months a new and rapid growing conspiracy has arisen and gone viral on many social media platforms. Videos surfaced of protesters passionately shouting about a man who is trapped inside the iconic Cloud Gate, also known as the “Chicago Bean”.
On July 31, 2025 a small group of non-violent protesters wearing all black were seen standing in front of The Bean, handing out informational flyers about a man who had been trapped inside of the sculpture his entire life. On the same day, a video posted under the Instagram account @maninbean went viral. In the video, one protester states, “There is a man trapped inside of the bean. We’re calling for his immediate release, please. In 2004 Anish Kapoor, the chief architect of the bean, stole a baby and put that baby inside the bean.” The video gained traction and earned 436 thousand likes as of September 2, 2025. The bizarre theory posed numerous questions online.
Many wondered how the man in the bean has been able to survive in complete isolation. When questioned, the Man in Bean Coalition responded by saying, “We believe the base of the Bean contain food and air vents that sustain a meager and desolate life within the chrome. We believe all ‘renovations’ to the Bean have been covert operations to keep him alive and keep him captive.” The biggest question implored by the public is if their operation was satire, or a performative art piece, to which the group firmly responded, “There is a man trapped inside the bean.”
The group of theorists found each other on a popular discussion and social platform called Reddit. All are said to have experienced the similar phenomenon of seeing a man-shaped silhouette inside of The Bean. A post on their Instagram page says that communication with the man is not possible, but when the sun hits sculpture just right, the man’s outline is visible. Another post theorizes that The Bean is actually a one-way mirror that the man trapped inside can look out of.
There has still been no definite response about the allegations from Head Director, Anish Kapoor. Although, On August 4, 2025 Aldermen Brendan Reilly of Chicago stated that “a man has not been trapped inside ‘Cloud Gate’ for the past 21 years.” He even calls the operation an “internet hoax” and proceeds to address the influx of calls regarding the “man in bean” theory. This caused backlash from the organization claiming that Reilly’s words are “not true”. However, when asked about investigating The Bean, governor JB Pritzker says that he is “not authorized to reveal anything about the man in the bean” and that he is “not suggesting there is a man in the bean or isn’t a man in the bean,” telling the public that he is completely neutral on the topic. There have not been any public protests since July 31, 2025, but the group continues to spread their cause on social platforms, leaving people to wonder; is there really a man trapped inside the Chicago Bean?
