TOUFILUK

Toufic Braidihttps://www.albawaba.com/node/tiktok-video-mocking-lebanese-passport-landed-creator-jail-1459058 (born: )https://www.instagram.com/p/CGpPo6ihLQ-/, better known as TOUFILUK is a Lebanese content creator who has gained significant recognition for his contributions to social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 
Toufic rose to prominence primarily for his talent in roasting his haters on his Instagram account. With his razor-sharp wit and clever humor, he fearlessly addresses negative comments and criticisms, transforming them into comedic content that resonates with his audience. This ability to turn negativity into entertainment has garnered him a devoted fan base and contributed to his online success.
==Personal life==
Originally hailing from Lebanon, Toufic has since relocated to London, England, where he currently resides. This change in environment has allowed him to broaden his horizons and connect with a diverse global audience. Despite being based in London, he continues to maintain strong ties to his Lebanese heritage, infusing his content with cultural influences and perspectives. He enrolled at King's College London, where he successfully completed his studies and obtained a diploma in MSc Biomedical Engineering.https://www.instagram.com/p/COVOgzmrtkh/https://www.instagram.com/p/CSzAtFNKuE_/ 
==Social media use==
=== Instagram ===
Toufic gained widespread fame primarily through his Instagram page, which initially started as a personal account among friends. However, due to the overwhelming success and positive feedback he received from his close circle, he made the decision to transition his account into a public profile. This shift allowed him to share content that he finds humorous, providing insights into his vibrant personality.
One notable feature on his Instagram page is the presence of multiple highlight reels, each associated with a specific number. These numbered highlights signify Toufic's roasts. Whenever he encountered individuals who insulted him or his family, he responded with a series of stories where he passionately roasted them. The effectiveness of these roasts in addressing the negativity directed towards him further reinforced his decision to continue creating such content. It became evident that his audience deeply appreciated this aspect of his online persona, solidifying his commitment to delivering entertaining roasts as a prominent feature of his content.
=== YouTube channel ===
On his YouTube channel, Toufic offers viewers a glimpse into his daily life, whether he is in England or Lebanon. While his channel currently features a limited number of videos, with only four available, it is important to note that Toufiluk primarily focuses on creating and sharing content on Instagram, where he offers a more extensive range of content compared to other social media platforms.
Through his vlogs, Toufic provides his audience with a personal and authentic perspective on his experiences. He captures moments from his everyday life, showcasing his adventures, interactions, and unique cultural encounters in both England and Lebanon. These vlogs serve as a means for his viewers to connect with him on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of his personality beyond the roasting content he is known for.
== Controversies ==
=== Feud with the Minister of Education of Lebanon ===
During the Lebanese lockdown that lasted from the beginning of 2021 to mid-2021, there was a widespread belief among Lebanese students that the official exams would be canceled, given the country's economic and political crises. However, in a press conference, the Minister of Education, Tarek Al-Majzoub, announced his decision to proceed with the exams as scheduled for that year. This news prompted Toufic to reach out to the Minister through Messenger, where he pleaded for the exams to be canceled. However, based on the messages Toufic received, it appeared that the Minister responded disrespectfully to him.
Following months of student protests in Lebanon, demanding the cancellation of the official exams, the Minister of Education eventually decided to cancel the Brevet exams on July 5, 2021. This development encouraged Toufic to message the Minister again, using his characteristic blend of humor and seriousness, asking him to cancel the remaining official exams, which included the baccalaureate exams (also known as the Terminal exams) for that year. However, instead of addressing Toufic's concerns, the Minister became even angrier and criticized Toufic for sending such messages, citing how Toufic's audience seemed to appreciate them.
With the formation of a new government in September 2021, Toufic took the opportunity to send one final message to Tarek, ironically bidding him goodbye. In response, the Minister unleashed a lengthy, insulting message in Arabic directed at Toufic, after which there were no further updates or communication from the Minister.
These incidents highlight Toufic's attempts to voice his concerns and engage with the Minister of Education regarding the cancellation of exams during a challenging period in Lebanon. The exchanges also underscore the heated exchanges and tensions that can arise between individuals and government officials during times of crisis and political change.
=== Arrest at Beirut Airport ===
On December 14, 2021, an unexpected turn of events occurred when Toufic was arrested upon his arrival at Beirut Airport. Initially, Toufic shared an Instagram story where he expressed his excitement to see his fans and family members, reassuring them that he had arrived safely. However, shortly after, he posted another Instagram story, unironically mentioning that if his fans didn't hear from him within 10 minutes, it meant that he had been arrested. Unfortunately, the situation took a serious turn as Toufic's statement turned out to be true, and his passport was confiscated by the authorities. 
In a video posted on Tuesday, Braidi revealed that his passport had been confiscated due to allegations of "insulting the presidency." He further explained on Wednesday night that General Security had informed him that the allegation stemmed from a video he had shared in May. In that video, he made jokes about the limited number of countries that Lebanese passport holders can visit without requiring a visa. Despite the comedic nature of the video, General Security claimed that it constituted an insult to the presidency since the Lebanese passport features "the president's stamp." Braidi expressed his surprise and frustration at this interpretation of his content, highlighting the unexpected consequences of his humor.https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1284927/social-media-comedian-toufic-braidi-says-general-security-has-returned-his-confiscated-passport.html
Mohamad Najem, the executive director of SMEX, an NGO dedicated to promoting digital rights, shared a photograph with Braidi, known by his social media handle @toufiluk, prior to his meeting with General Security on Wednesday. In a subsequent tweet, Najem expressed his support for Braidi, emphasizing that he has the right to freely express himself. The tweet also highlighted the seizure of Braidi's passport upon his arrival in Lebanon and criticized the increasing surveillance and reporting activities of supporters of politicians, suggesting a concerning trend in the country.https://twitter.com/monajem/status/1471025615012831239
After the ordeal of having his passport confiscated, Toufic Braidi eventually regained possession of it. In a triumphant social media post, he shared a photo with the caption "I'm free," signaling his relief and gratitude for the return of his passport. This post conveyed a sense of liberation and marked the end of a challenging period for Braidi, highlighting his ability to overcome obstacles and resume his regular activities without the constraints that the passport confiscation had imposed.
=== Conflict in the streets of London ===
After exercising his right to vote in London, Toufiluk documented the experience by posting a video and pictures on his Instagram account. These posts showcased his engagement with the democratic process and his active participation in shaping the political landscape.https://ibb.co/Gd3GNNzhttps://ibb.co/z5QmGvV 
In the aftermath of casting his vote in London, Toufiluk utilized his Instagram account to share a video and pictures capturing a disturbing incident. The footage depicted a group of young men, associated with the Free Patriotic Movement, including an individual named Elias Farah, who had been subjected to physical assault during a protest. This protest was in response to an alleged insult directed at the President of the Republic inside the Lebanese embassy.
In response to these events, Toufiluk clarified that his own remarks regarding President Michel Aoun were made separately, outside the premises of the embassy. By making this distinction, he aimed to convey that his statements were unrelated to the violence that occurred during the protest. It appears that Toufiluk sought to provide context and ensure that his audience understood the delineation between his personal expressions and the unfortunate incidents of violence that took place in connection to the embassy insult controversy.
==References==
Category:Prank YouTubers
Category:Vlogging YouTubers
Category:Lebanese YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2013