As immigration-related protests erupted in Los Angeles recently, a viral Craigslist ad sparked a flurry of conspiracy theories across social media — claims that the demonstrations were full of “paid protesters.” But here’s the truth: the ad was a prank, and it had nothing to do with the protests.

Let’s break it down.

The Claim:

Social media posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok shared screenshots of a Craigslist ad seeking “the toughest badasses in the city,” claiming it was proof that the protests in LA were staged and participants were being paid. The ad even listed wild weekly pay ranging from $6,500 to $12,500.

Some users went further, calling the demonstrations “a funded operation,” accusing Democrats of orchestrating chaos to destabilize the country and supposedly profit from federal aid in the aftermath.

But none of that is true.

The Real Story Behind the Ad:

The ad was actually part of a stunt for a new prank show called Goofcon1, co-hosted by Joey LaFleur and Logan Quiroz. LaFleur, who posted the Craigslist ad in LA’s “general labor” section, told the Associated Press that it was meant to be a bit — a joke for the podcast’s Friday episode. In fact, he posted it the day before the protests even began.

“I literally had no idea it was ever going to be connected to the riots,” LaFleur said. “It was a really weird coincidence.”

During the Goofcon1 livestream, the hosts even spoke with people who had responded to the ad — which was intentionally over-the-top and militaristic. LaFleur also posted a similar ad in Austin, Texas, but it didn’t get much attention.

How the Hoax Took Off Online:

Despite being a joke, screenshots of the ad quickly circulated online as “evidence” that protesters were being paid. One post on X claimed, “CALIFORNIA RIOT IS A FUNDED OPERATION,” garnering thousands of likes and shares. A TikTok video accusing demonstrators of being “paid agitators” also racked up over 14,000 views.

Some users even claimed the protests were “fake” and orchestrated by Democrats — all based on a prank ad.

LaFleur responded to the confusion with disbelief — and humor. On his Instagram story, he posted: “Accidentally goofed the entire nation on the latest @goofcon1.” In another post, he joked: “If I get on Newsmax, that could be funny.”

A Familiar Pattern of Misinformation:

This isn’t the first time false claims about “paid protesters” have gone viral. During the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s killing, similar conspiracy theories flooded the internet. These claims resurface anytime a major protest draws national or global attention — feeding narratives of orchestrated unrest, even when no such plot exists.

Bottom Line:

The viral Craigslist ad was never about the LA protests. It was a prank — nothing more. But it’s another reminder of how easily misinformation spreads, especially when it fits into an existing narrative of political distrust.

So next time you see an outrageous claim floating around online, take a moment to dig a little deeper. Sometimes, the “smoking gun” is just a podcast prank gone viral.

Source: AP News – FACT FOCUS: A Craigslist ad is not proof of paid protesters in LA. It was posted as a prank

The post Viral Craigslist Ad About ‘Tough Dudes’ Had Nothing to Do With LA Protests appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Comedian Katt Williams has often shared a story about joining the U.S. Marine Corps as a teenager, claiming he passed boot camp but was dismissed when officials learned he was still a minor. However, the U.S. Marine Corps has no record of Williams ever enlisting or attending Marine boot camp.

The Emmy-winning actor and stand-up comic has made these claims publicly for years, including in interviews, video blogs, and during his stand-up routines. These stories, while not tied to his comedy material, have become part of his personal narrative. Williams’ assertion of military service has been heard by millions, but the Marine Corps has told CBS News that no records support his story.

Williams first spoke about his alleged Marine experience as far back as 2016. In interviews on popular platforms like ESPN’s “First Take” and Marc Maron’s podcast, Williams described a tale where he lied about his age to join the Marines and made it through boot camp. He even claimed there was a ceremony when it was revealed he was too young for service.

On Maron’s podcast, Williams said: “I attempt to join the Marine Corps, and I go off to boot camp and I pass. Then they reveal that I’m too young, and they give me a little ceremony.” He also clarified that he wasn’t even 16 when he completed the training.

In a lengthy interview with Shannon Sharpe on his podcast “Club Shay Shay,” which garnered more than 83 million views, Williams expanded on the story, saying he miscalculated his age but still managed to pass the boot camp. Despite being a minor, he says the Marines treated him with respect and gave him a ceremony for completing the training.

However, when CBS News requested information on Williams’ supposed Marine Corps service, the U.S. Marine Corps responded by saying they found no records of him enlisting, attending boot camp, or being discharged. Military officials explained that if Williams had truly enlisted, there would be records of his entry, training, and discharge, even if he had fraudulently joined as a minor.

Anthony Anderson, an Army veteran and founder of the social media site “Guardians of Valor,” criticized Williams’ claims, calling them disrespectful to those who have genuinely earned the title of Marine. Anderson emphasized that completing Marine boot camp is no easy feat, noting that “people have died in training” in the pursuit of becoming a Marine.

Williams’ claims of Marine service appear to have begun during his 2016 public feud with comedian Kevin Hart, where Williams made a reference to his alleged time in the Marines during a heated moment. That same year, Williams was involved in a physical altercation with a teenager in Georgia, and during his stand-up routine, he again referred to himself as a Marine, even boasting about his boot camp success.

Despite the lack of evidence supporting his story, Williams continues to reference his claimed military experience in interviews and on stage, with no official response from him to address the Marine Corps’ findings.

Source

The post Katt Williams Says He Passed Marine Boot Camp—But the Marines Disagree appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.