In today’s hyper-connected world, a single post can catapult a private individual into the center of a digital storm. That’s exactly what happened to University of Mississippi student Mary Kate Cornett, who found herself trending on X (formerly Twitter) on February 26, following allegations of an affair that took the internet by storm.
The controversy, fueled by unverified claims, quickly spiraled beyond whispers on social media. In a bizarre twist, users even created a cryptocurrency meme coin inspired by the situation, highlighting how rapidly online culture can commodify personal scandals.
From Private Life to Public Spectacle
The allegations first surfaced through a viral post by X user @MAGAgeddon, who claimed that Cornett had been romantically involved with her boyfriend Evan’s father—identified as private banker Erik Solis. A supposed screenshot of a Snapchat message suggested that Cornett had returned home early after exams and taken Evan’s younger sister to a basketball game, accompanied by Evan’s father. The post further alleged that later that evening, Cornett and Solis went out for drinks, leading to the start of their reported affair.
As with most online scandals, speculation ran wild. Additional claims suggested that Solis had a history of infidelity, allegedly reassuring Cornett that he had cheated on his wife multiple times. Some posts even indicated that Evan discovered the affair but later reconciled with Cornett. Meanwhile, Solis’ wife was rumored to be aware of the situation and considering divorce—though reportedly for unrelated reasons.
When the Internet Turns People Into Currency
As the drama unfolded, it took an unexpected financial twist. X user @DuragRebel shared screenshots suggesting the creation of a meme coin inspired by Cornett’s name. In the crypto world, meme coins are often created as a joke, but their real-world impact can be substantial—just look at Dogecoin or the recent PEPE coin frenzy.
This raises ethical concerns: At what point does digital culture cross the line from commentary to exploitation? When personal controversies turn into viral currencies, the people at the center of them cease to be individuals—they become assets for internet speculation. The financialization of personal scandals is a new, troubling reality of the social media age.
Digital Ethics and the Right to Privacy
Another layer of this controversy is the aggressive doxxing—publicly sharing personal information—of Cornett. X user @Baginpocket allegedly posted a screenshot of Cornett’s Instagram profile before it was made private. Other users followed suit, sharing unverified claims and screenshots suggesting past behavior, including one that purportedly showed a $150 Venmo transaction aimed at silencing someone from revealing information.
From a human rights perspective, this incident underscores the danger of digital vigilante justice. Regardless of the truth behind the allegations, public shaming on this scale raises ethical questions:
- Where do we draw the line between discussion and harassment?
- How much damage does internet infamy inflict on an individual’s life, reputation, and mental health?
- Should platforms take greater responsibility in preventing such pile-ons?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 12) states that “no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon their honor and reputation.” Yet, in the era of social media, this principle is often disregarded.
The Silence Speaks Volumes
At the time of writing, none of the involved parties—Cornett, Evan, Solis, or his wife—have publicly addressed the allegations. In the absence of verified information, the internet has filled in the gaps with speculation, half-truths, and memes.
This case isn’t just about one person’s alleged actions—it’s about the broader consequences of internet culture. The viral nature of scandals like this one highlights the lack of digital accountability, where people’s lives can become entertainment at the click of a button.
While it’s easy to engage in online gossip, it’s worth considering the human cost of these viral moments. After all, once the trend fades, the internet moves on—but the individuals involved are left to deal with the real-world consequences of their digital infamy.