Buzz Aldrin reacted violently when conspiracy theorists accused him of faking the moon landing

Buzz Aldrin was only the second person to ever walk on the moon, but before he could do so he had to train for years.

So, in a way, he can be forgiven for losing his temper in 2002 when a conspiracy theorist who did not believe in the 1969 moon landing accused him of being a “liar” and a “coward.”

Last month marked the 55th anniversary of NASA sending Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins to the moon aboard Apollo 11.

Buzz Aldrin waves to the crowd during the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2019 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

On July 20, 1969, at 8:17 p.m., the duo successfully landed the Apollo lunar module Eagle on Earth's only natural satellite, and the two took photographs, including of a footprint on the moon and of Aldrin saluting the U.S. flag.

Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon and coined the phrase, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

But since it happened, countless people have questioned the legitimacy of this mission. Many point to alleged “evidence” that the moon landing never took place.

There is also plenty of evidence to the contrary. In 2019, Professor Anu Ojha, Discovery Director at the National Space Centre, made it his mission to refute every single point that conspiracy theorists had put forward as evidence that the matter was “wrong”.

However, it is a theory that still persists, and one of these “proofs of truth” was Bar Sibrel.

According to BBC News, he was approached outside a hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, by Aldrin, who was also staying with his stepdaughter at the time, and accused the American astronaut of lying about his moonwalk.

Buzz Aldrin stands next to the American flag as Neil Armstrong takes the photo. (Bettmann/Getty)

In the recording, Sibrel can be heard yelling at Aldrin, saying he told people he “landed on the moon when they didn't,” Joe said.

He also repeatedly asked Aldrin to “swear on the Bible” that he had been on the moon.

In response to the hostilities, the then 72-year-old raised his voice and told him to “get away from me”.

Sibrel replies: “You are a coward and a liar and a thief…”

At this point, Aldrin punches Sibrel, who had been coming toward his face, in the jaw.

After the incident, Sibrel attempted to file charges against Aldrin, but the case was dismissed because the court found that Sibrel was the instigator.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ratinoff said at the time: “Ultimately, Sibrel called Aldrin a thief, a liar and a coward. On video, Aldrin can be seen punching Sibrel once in the face. Sibrel immediately turns to the camera crew present and appears to ask twice, 'Do you understand?'

“Given all the circumstances, it is unlikely that a jury would find Aldrin guilty of assault.”

Speaking later to Fox News about the “moon landing truthers,” Aldrin said, “I don't really pay any attention to them. They just want to make a name for themselves.”