Racism, Internet Clout, and the Dangerous Spiral of people like “ChudTheBuilder”
Dalton Eatherly, also known as streamer “Chud the Builder,” was arrested and charged with attempted murder after a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse on May 14th, authorities said (Photo: Police)
Over the past several weeks, online streamer “ChudTheBuilder,” whose real name is Dalton Eatherly, has become the center of growing controversy tied to racist livestreams, public confrontations, arrests, and now a violent incident outside a Tennessee courthouse.
According to authorities, a confrontation outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville escalated into gunfire, leaving two people injured. Prosecutors later charged Eatherly with attempted murder and other offenses connected to the shooting.
Eatherly built much of his online notoriety through livestreams where he allegedly harassed strangers, used racial slurs, mocked Black individuals, and intentionally tried to provoke confrontations for clicks and engagement. Multiple reports describe him using racist language and “rage-bait” tactics in public places.
Social media over the past few years has created an environment where outrage often gets rewarded. The louder and more inflammatory someone becomes, the more attention they receive. Unfortunately, some creators lean into racism and harassment because controversy drives clicks, views, and money.
But eventually, the law of averages runs out, and real-world consequences catch up
Recent online reports also detailed an earlier arrest involving allegations that Eatherly caused disturbances at a Nashville restaurant while allegedly making racist remarks and refusing to pay a large bill. The courthouse incident appears to be another escalation in a pattern of confrontational behavior that many people online had already been warning about.
There is no place for racism in our society: not online, not in public, and certainly not in the workplace.
Some may argue well it’s “fReE sPeEch” and I say fuck those people. Because there’s a line between expressing an opinion and using racism to harass, intimidate, or dehumanize other people. Free speech does not mean freedom from consequences. When racism is used to target people, poison workplaces, or provoke public confrontations, it stops being just speech and becomes hate.
Recently, I personally reported racist behavior at my own job. It wasn’t done out of revenge, personal hatred, or some attempt to take away someone’s “fReE sPeEch.” It was done because I had a responsibility to protect the employee who was being targeted and to make sure there were serious consequences for an employee who crossed that line not once, but twice.
No employee should ever tolerate discrimination in a professional environment. After the situation was investigated, the employee responsible was terminated.
As that employee’s supervisor, being present when HR fired that piece of shit was a satisfyingly powerful moment. It was a reminder that accountability matters, and when people speak up workplaces can be made safer and better for everyone.
Too many people stay silent because they are afraid of backlash, conflict, or becoming a target themselves. But silence protects pieces of shit like that. Speaking up is how workplaces and communities improve.
We’re living in a time where people chase internet attention at any cost. But racism is not edgy. Harassment is not content and provoking strangers with slurs is not comedy.
It’s destructive.
People like ChudTheBuilder are a warning sign of what happens when hate becomes content and racism becomes a brand. The internet may reward shock value for a while, but real life has consequences.
Whether it is happening on a livestream, outside a courthouse, in a restaurant, or inside a workplace, racism must be confronted directly and consistently.
There is no room for it.
There is no excuse for it.
