Internet users are currently expressing outrage after George Floyd’s brother, who is based in Texas, showed off a gold chain featuring Floyd depicted as a lion.
Philonise Floyd has remained publicly active since the death of George Floyd. He previously appeared at protests and also spoke before the United States Congress. He is now going viral online because of the gold chain he was seen wearing in Texas.
In a video with more than four million views, Philonise was seen holding the gold chain and saying, “The truth is just like a lion.” The chain features half of George Floyd’s face and half of a lion’s face. Online, some people alleged that the piece was custom made and worth around $45,000, although that claim has not been independently verified.
After comparing truth to a lion, Philonise added, “You don’t have to defend it, it will defend itself.” He then went on to explain the layout and meaning behind the chain. Philonise explained that Floyd was a standout athlete at Jack Yates High School, whose mascot and logo are lions.
While the video of the chain is currently going viral, Philonise has reportedly owned the piece for some time. An Instagram post from 2025 on his account showed him wearing the same chain. In the caption, he marked Floyd’s birthday and described him as someone who “changed the world.”
Viewers Express Outrage Over George Floyd’s Brother Displaying Chain in Texas
The video sparked reactions online. Many viewers expressed outrage over the video of Philonise wearing a gold chain depicting Floyd as a lion. The backlash mainly came from critics of Floyd’s public legacy. “Truth may be like a lion, but your brother was more like a hyena,” one person wrote. Another commented, “What happened to donating that money to a black owned charity or doing something in the black community in his name. Hey what do I know.”
More viewers criticized Philonise, with some questioning the display of the chain. “Turning your brother’s death into a luxury flex is insane,” one person wrote. Another added, “I’m so glad the settlement money is being spent exactly like I thought it would.” Someone else commented, “I know people whose brothers died in war that didn’t do stuff like this. This is a little bit much for me.”
The video sparked discussion about how the family of George Floyd continues to remain in the public spotlight years after his death. It also led to broader conversations about how people choose to remember and honor lost loved ones, and how public expressions of grief or tribute can be interpreted differently by audiences.
