No, That Craigslist Ad Isn’t Proof of Paid Protesters in Los Angeles — It Was Just a Prank

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.