As protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration reached their fifth day on Tuesday, social media influencers have significantly outshined traditional media at the rallies, taking on a unique role in disseminating information about the events unfolding on the streets.
Many of these influencers, often sporting distinctive press helmets and vests, lean conservative and are active on platforms like X, along with streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube. During some of the week’s most intense episodes, figures like Trump officials Stephen Miller and billionaire Elon Musk have amplified content shared by these creators, leading to viral posts that paint a picture of escalating violence.
President Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and others for their handling of the protests, urging the National Guard to step in. In response, Newsom argued that military intervention was unnecessary and had filed a motion to prevent the Trump administration from deploying troops. Officials reported that at least 150 protesters have been arrested since Friday.
Among those documenting the protests was 25-year-old Cam Higby, a conservative journalist and political commentator for Today is America. He traveled from his home in Washington to Los Angeles last Friday to capture the demonstration on video.
On Monday night, Higby participated in a live stream alongside fellow online creator and friend Aldo Butazoni, 25, reporting from the protest’s front lines. Their content predominantly counters narratives from Democratic officials like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom.
Higby’s posts have racked up millions of views recently, blurring the lines between journalism and advocacy. He frequently shares updates on police movements, while also echoing Trump’s sentiment that “LA needs the National Guard“; he strives to channel his anger into his reporting.
“I refer to it as duality. I provide live updates while discussing the issues,” Higby explained.
With a scarcity of reporters in Los Angeles, Fox News brought Higby and Butazoni on for unpaid segments over the weekend, featuring them for live updates.
Liberal protesters recognized Higby and Butazoni and publicly condemned them, which prompted Butazoni to remove identification badges from his attire. Higby reported receiving numerous “trust threats” through social media, which led him to spend $3,000 to hire two bodyguards for protection.
Conversely, left-leaning creators like Twitch streamer Hasan Piker (33) have also reported from the Los Angeles rallies, though their presence appears limited. Piker’s Twitch stream on Monday spanned eight hours from the same Los Angeles protest attended by Higby, garnering 1.4 million views.
Andrew Callahan, a journalist based in Los Angeles and the creator of Media Company Channel 5 News, observed that the demand for protest and riot videos surged during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
“These creators operate independently without bosses, but they are still motivated by the same incentives as conservative media outlets,” Callahan commented in an interview. “They focus on content that doesn’t accurately portray the situation, striving to attract viewers in the same way Fox News does.”
Source: www.nytimes.com
