YouTuber and political commentator Dhruv Rathee has once again found himself at the centre of a social media storm, this time over unverified claims of an extramarital affair. The rumours, which surfaced in mid-January 2026, quickly spread across Instagram, X, and other platforms, alleging that the popular creator had cheated on his wife, Juli Lbr-Rathee. However, both Dhruv and Juli swiftly shut down the gossip, labelling it baseless misinformation and part of a deliberate smear campaign.
The controversy highlights how quickly unproven stories can gain traction online, especially when targeting high-profile figures like Rathee, who often critiques government policies and attracts polarised reactions.
The Rumours: Baseless Claims Without Evidence
The allegations first bubbled up on Instagram and X around January 13-15, 2026, with anonymous accounts sharing “screenshots” and “chats” suggesting Dhruv had flirted with or been involved with an unnamed influencer. No credible proof – such as verified messages, timestamps, or source links – ever surfaced. Many users pointed out obvious signs of fabrication, including poor editing and inconsistencies.
The claims escalated rapidly, with some accounts tagging Rathee directly and others spreading variations like “Dhruv cheated on Juli after their son’s birth.” The couple shares a one-year-old son (born in 2024), adding an extra layer of sensitivity to the accusations.
Juli’s Strong Response: ‘Please Don’t Spread This Bullshit’
Juli Lbr, Dhruv’s German wife, broke her silence first after the rumours reached her in Germany. Visibly upset, she commented on an Instagram post spreading the gossip:
“What the hell is this. Shitposting has gone a bit too far. Please don’t respond. Please don’t spread this bullshit rumours – Dhruv is the sweetest husband and we couldn’t be happier.”
Her message went viral, earning widespread support from fans who praised her for defending her marriage publicly. Juli emphasised their strong bond and dismissed the claims as harmful misinformation that affects real families.
Dhruv Rathee’s Video Reply: Sarcastic Debunk & ‘Better Luck Next Time’
On January 16, 2026, while in Dubai with his team, Dhruv posted a video on Instagram addressing the rumours head-on. He appeared amused yet firm, calling the allegations “absurd” and “unbelievable.” Key quotes from his response:
“Yeh kya chal raha hai ki maine apni wife par cheat kar liya hai, Juli par cheat kar liya hai?” (What is this that I cheated on my wife, on Juli?)
“Har mahine do mahine yeh IT cell wale mere baare mein koi bhi nayi ut-patang farzi khabar phailane lag jaate hai” (Every one or two months, these IT cell people start spreading some random fake news about me.)
“Agar mujhe badnaam karna hai toh mehnat karni padegi… better luck next time, try harder” (If you want to defame me, you’ll have to put in effort… better luck next time, try harder.)
Dhruv attributed the rumours to “IT cell” propaganda – a term often used in Indian online discourse for alleged paid troll networks linked to political parties. He challenged critics to provide real evidence instead of relying on viral trends, mocking the low effort behind the claims.
Background on Dhruv & Juli’s Relationship
Dhruv and Juli met in 2014 when Dhruv was studying engineering in Germany. Juli, a local, became his partner; they dated for seven years before marrying in November 2021 in an intimate European ceremony (followed by Indian celebrations). Their son was born in 2024, and Dhruv frequently shares positive glimpses of family life, calling Juli supportive and describing parenthood as transformative.
The couple’s interfaith marriage (Dhruv Hindu-background, Juli likely non-religious or Christian) has been celebrated by fans as progressive, making the cheating rumours particularly jarring and unlikely to many.
Public Reactions: Support, Scepticism & Calls for Evidence
Netizens were quick to rally behind the couple:
- Fans: “Juli’s response is queen energy,” “Dhruv is too busy roasting governments to cheat lol”
- Sceptics: Some asked for proof before dismissing entirely, while others noted “haters gonna hate”
- Broader commentary: Discussions on how public figures face constant smears, especially those critical of power
The rumours fizzled fast after the joint rebuttals, with no new “evidence” emerging. As of January 20, 2026, it’s widely seen as another failed attempt to tarnish Rathee’s image.
