Protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration entered their fifth day on Tuesday, showcasing a notable shift in media coverage as social media creators increasingly outnumber traditional reporters at rallies. Equipped with makeshift helmets and vests, many of these creators-often leaning conservative-have taken to platforms like X, Twitch, and YouTube to livestream their experiences, reaching vast audiences and amplifying their narratives.
During the week’s more tumultuous moments, influential figures such as Trump officials Stephen Miller and billionaire Elon Musk have shared these creators’ posts, contributing to viral moments that fuel perceptions of escalating violence. President Trump criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom for what he called a lack of control over the protests, advocating for National Guard intervention. In contrast, Newsom deemed such measures unnecessary and has sought legal action to block the deployment of troops, amidst reports of over 150 arrests since Friday.
One prominent figure among the social media creators is Cam Higby, a 25-year-old journalist for the conservative digital outlet Today Is America. Higby flew to Los Angeles from Washington State after noticing viral videos of the protests on X. On Monday, he livestreamed directly from the front lines alongside fellow creator Aldo Buttazoni, also 25, both of whom previously worked with Prager U and characterize themselves with an “America First ” motto. Their content often targets Democratic officials like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom, employing a mixture of reporting and advocacy.
Higby’s posts have garnered millions of views, creating a blend of on-the-ground reporting with commentary designed to provoke outrage. “I would call it a duality: I do on-the-ground reporting and I also commentate on issues,” Higby stated. With limited press presence in Los Angeles, Fox News tapped both Higby and Buttazoni for unpaid television segments over the weekend, relying on their live updates.
However, their presence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Liberal protesters have confronted them, prompting Buttazoni to remove identifying badges to avoid hostility, while Higby revealed he received credible threats online, leading him to hire bodyguards for safety-a $3,000 expense.
In contrast, left-leaning creators like Twitch streamer Hasan Piker have also reported from the Los Angeles protests, although in fewer numbers. Piker’s eight-hour stream on the same day as Higby’s managed to attract 1.4 million views, illustrating a significant audience engagement across the political spectrum.
Andrew Callaghan, the creator of Channel 5 News in Los Angeles, observed that the market for protest videos burgeoned during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020 but has expanded since. Many right-wing creators claim the “independent” label, yet they often mirror the incentives of conservative mainstream media. “They don’t have a boss, so they can say they’re independent, but they’re following the exact same incentive structures,” Callaghan explained. This includes sensational moments designed to capture clicks and attention, often not reflecting the true nature of events.
As the protests continue, the evolving landscape of journalism highlights the challenge and impact of social media in shaping public perceptions, revealing a complex interplay between traditional and new media in the coverage of demonstrations.
Tags: Demonstrations, Protests and Riots, Social Media, Conservatism (US Politics), United States Politics and Government, Los Angeles (Calif)
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/technology/la-protests-influencers-media.html
Category : Demonstrations, Protests and Riots,Social Media,Conservatism (US Politics),United States Politics and Government,Los Angeles (Calif)
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Publish Date: 2025-06-11 02:50:00
