What's Being Claimed?
Across social media platforms, supporters of Donald Trump have been sharing a now-debunked Craigslist ad as alleged proof that the protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids were made up of "paid agitators." Some claim that these individuals are being funded by left-wing or Democratic-affiliated organisations to stir unrest, destabilise Trump's presidency, and provoke federal intervention.
One comment said:
"These are paid agitators. We have seen this before. Trump knows this. They have already discovered the groups paying these people."
But is there any truth to this?
The Craigslist Ad: Fact-Checked
The infamous ad offering $6,500–$12,500 per week for “tough badasses” was not a covert recruitment scheme—it was a prank.
Origin: Posted by Joey LaFleur, co-host of a prank podcast Goofcon1.
Intent: Meant as satire, not activism or insurrection.
Timing: Uploaded the day before protests began in LA.
Verified by: Associated Press, WRAL, and multiple outlets.
The ad was later repackaged by pro-Trump commentators as evidence of organised, paid protest efforts. But this is misinformation.
Are Any Groups Paying Protestors?
To date, no credible evidence has surfaced showing that individuals were paid to agitate or commit violence in the LA protests.
No verified payments, contracts, or insider reports have been found.
No law enforcement claims have supported these allegations.
Senator Josh Hawley has opened a probe into the nonprofit CHIRLA, but so far no wrongdoing has been discovered. CHIRLA states it funds legal observers, not agitators.
Even though some nonprofits receive government grants, there is no documented link between this funding and any unlawful behaviour.
What About Trump and Paid Provocation?
There is no evidence whatsoever that Donald Trump or his associates have funded violent protests to justify invoking the Insurrection Act. However, there are some historical and rhetorical precedents worth noting:
Trump has repeatedly suggested that outside groups are responsible for violence at protests.
During the 2020 protests, Trump and his allies made similar claims about "Antifa thugs," but federal investigations found no organised nationwide funding of agitators.
Authoritarian playbooks have historically used false threats of unrest to justify a crackdown. There is concern Trump may exploit fabricated threats to trigger the Insurrection Act.
Why These Claims Are Dangerous
Unfounded claims of "paid rioters" are not harmless speculation:
They serve to delegitimise grassroots protest.
They create false justification for military deployment.
They contribute to deep political polarisation.
Without evidence, these accusations are nothing more than conspiracy theories—used to distract, inflame, and provoke.
Gary’s Soapbox Comment
There is no confirmed evidence that any group—left, right, or otherwise—is paying people to riot in Los Angeles. The Craigslist ad was a prank. The political narrative built on it is fiction.
If Trump or his supporters use this misinformation to justify invoking the Insurrection Act, it will not be a response to chaos—it will be a manipulation of it.
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