Craigslist Ad Misused To Spread Paid Protest Lie \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Craigslist ad falsely linked to Los Angeles immigration protests sparked viral misinformation, alleging demonstrators were paid participants. The ad was actually part of a prank podcast episode and posted before protests began. Social media posts misrepresenting the ad spread rapidly across platforms.
Quick Looks
- Viral Craigslist ad falsely tied to LA immigration protests.
- Ad promised $6,500–$12,500/week for “high-risk” mystery jobs.
- Ad was posted for a prank podcast called Goofcon1.
- Creator Joey LaFleur said the ad was not protest-related.
- False claims about “paid protesters” went viral on X, TikTok.
- Ad was shared as “proof” of protests being staged.
- Similar false claims circulated during 2020 George Floyd protests.
- LaFleur posted on Instagram to clarify the prank’s true intent.
Deep Look
As immigration protests erupted across Los Angeles in recent days, a misleading Craigslist job ad became the focal point of a growing online conspiracy theory. Social media users falsely claimed that the ad—offering thousands of dollars for “toughest dudes” in high-pressure roles—was proof that demonstrators had been paid to protest. But the truth is far more mundane: the ad was a joke, created for a prank podcast episode, and completely unrelated to the protests.
The ad, which has since been removed from Craigslist, promised between $6,500 and $12,500 per week for participants in a mysterious “unit” that would be “activated only when the situation demands it.” The language was intentionally exaggerated: “We need individuals who do not break, panic, or fold under stress and are basically kickass dudes.” But many online users interpreted it literally and used screenshots to suggest the LA protests were staged.
One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) read:
“CALIFORNIA RIOT IS A FUNDED OPERATION… Destabilizing the Trump administration and the United States in general is the goal.”
Another TikTok video with over 14,000 views labeled protesters as “paid agitators”, suggesting that what began as peaceful demonstrations had devolved into riots due to outside funding and manipulation.
But as the Associated Press confirmed, the ad was posted a full day before protests began and had no connection to the demonstrations. It was part of a comedy podcast stunt produced by Joey LaFleur and Logan Quiroz for their prank series, Goofcon1. In fact, the duo used their Friday livestream (coinciding with the protest kickoff) to speak with people who responded to the ad in real time.
“I literally had no idea it was ever going to be connected to the riots. It was a really weird coincidence,” LaFleur told AP. During the Goofcon1 episode, LaFleur also shared that he posted a more overtly “militaristic” version of the ad in Austin, Texas, but received fewer responses.
Despite clear evidence that the ad was not protest-related, it rapidly spread across platforms as supposed evidence of a deep-state conspiracy or organized attempt to undermine President Donald Trump. Claims alleging that Democrats or outside organizations had “faked” the protest also circulated, mirroring long-running narratives about staged unrest.
Screenshots of the Craigslist ad racked up tens of thousands of views, shares, and likes across X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, often presented without context or correction. This disinformation followed a familiar pattern: similar false claims spread widely in 2020 during the George Floyd protests, when many online users alleged—without proof—that demonstrators had been paid to incite violence.
LaFleur later addressed the misinformation directly through his Instagram stories, attempting to separate the prank from the real-world protests. “Accidentally goofed the entire nation on the latest @goofcon1,” he wrote. In another post, he joked: “I don’t really know what to do with any of this. I guess get on Newsmax, or something. If I get on Newsmax, that could be funny.”
Media experts warn that these types of hoaxes—while seemingly humorous at their origin—can have real consequences. When taken out of context and spread without verification, they feed into larger conspiracy narratives that erode public trust and increase political polarization.
“There’s a long history of false claims about paid protesters,” said one misinformation researcher. “They tend to resurface any time demonstrations receive national attention, especially when they challenge those in power.”
As the protests in Los Angeles continue and immigration enforcement policies face public scrutiny, the misinformation surrounding the Craigslist ad serves as a stark reminder: in today’s fast-moving digital landscape, even a joke can spiral into nationwide disinformation within hours.
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