The incident involving the Lithuanian president, Gitanas Nausėda, and the controversial streamer known as Mellstroy, has sparked wide discussion across social media circles and among political observers. A Telegram channel named Axe 18+ documented that Nausėda inadvertently became part of another stunt surrounding Mellstroy, sending a video message that was interpreted as a public greeting to the online personality.
During one of Mellstroy’s broadcasts, he floated a bold promise: he would pay two million dollars to anyone who could secure a greeting to him from the president of any country. The offer, valued at roughly 181.4 million rubles at a March 2024 exchange rate, was meant as a bold spectacle to amplify Mellstroy’s online brand. The reaction from viewers was swift and animated, with many watching to see whether a real world political figure would engage with a social media dare.
The first participant to attempt the challenge turned out to be a Lithuanian pupil, a third grader. The child managed to locate Nausėda in Vilnius Cathedral Square, where the president was addressing a gathering in observance of Lithuanian Independence Day. The setting provided a public stage that, in the eyes of many, blurred the lines between official state functions and pop culture provocations.
With a smartphone camera open in selfie mode, the young student approached the president to extend the greeting to Mellstroy, choosing not to reveal his own identity in order to preserve the moment as a straightforward message from the country’s leader to the internet figure. Nausėda, recognizing the moment as a civic duty to engage with the public, complied with the student’s request. He offered a respectful greeting and extended well-wishes on Lithuania’s Independence Day, delivering the gesture in a calm and ceremonial manner that reflected the dignity expected of a head of state.
Following the appearance, Mellstroy announced his review of the video and his decision about remuneration. He ultimately chose not to fulfill the complete monetary promise. In his assessment, the message did not meet his exacting standard for the contract terms, and as a result he finalized a payment of 150,000 dollars, a figure that was reported in subsequent discussions as a partial fulfillment. The episode drew a mix of ridicule and critique from viewers who questioned the seriousness of the stunt and the appropriateness of tying a national leader’s actions to an online challenge. This moment also sparked broader conversations about how politicians engage with social media personalities and the implications for public trust and national representation (Axe 18+ Telegram report).
Previously, Mellstroy had flirted with even larger stunts, including a promise to pay 30 million rubles for greetings from a global football star. The shifting amounts and the varying responses from audiences underscored the unpredictable dynamics of online influencer culture, where the line between entertainment and real-world consequence can blur quickly. Observers noted that such offers and endorsements can cast a shadow over the solemn duties of political leaders when those figures become entangled in provocative online challenges (Axe 18+ Telegram report).
Across political and media landscapes, the incident prompted discussions on several fronts. Analysts highlighted how a televised moment of public address can be leveraged by online personalities to create sensational content, often at the risk of diminishing the perceived gravitas of national institutions. Others pointed out that while modern leaders are increasingly active on digital platforms, there is a delicate balance between accessibility to citizens and the maintenance of formal protocol. The Lithuanian case became a reference point for debates about media literacy, the responsibilities of public officials, and the evolving role of social networks in shaping national narratives (Axe 18+ Telegram report).
For citizens and observers, the episode served as a reminder that public figures routinely navigate a crowded information ecosystem where entertainment, political messaging, and celebrity culture intersect. It illustrated how a spontaneous moment on a public square can quickly become a worldwide topic, fueling discussions about authenticity, accountability, and the boundaries of online engagement. The event also offered a rare glimpse into how a head of state might respond when confronted with a modern challenge from a popular, yet controversial, online creator and how such responses may influence subsequent public perception of both the leader and the country they represent (Axe 18+ Telegram report).