Climber couple arrested after scaling Empire State Building antenna for apparent marriage proposal

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10. Love at 1,454 ft: Climbing duo arrested after Empire State Building proposal - CNN Inside Politics (2 videos)

Two people who reached the top of the Empire State Building’s spire in New York City on Wednesday afternoon are in custody, according to the New York Police Department.

The individuals, who were masked, appeared to get engaged.

Police officers climbed up the spire and met the two just before 1 p.m., according to CNN affiliate WABC.

CNN’s Dana Bash and her Inside Politics panel react to the stunt and CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller shares details about possible charges facing the two individuals. - Aired on 07/01/2026.

0:00 Protesters hang off the top of the Empire State Building’s spire
1:23 The two individuals start climbing down
2:26 CNN senior national security analyst reacts to the stunt
4:22 The two masked individuals appear to get engaged
9:24 Emergency services officers climb up to meet the two individuals
10:06 CNN chief law enforcement analyst weighs in on potential charges



LIVE - Two people climb to the top of the Empire State Building - MS NOW

July 1, 2026.