Offline, in real-world Los Angeles, most Angelenos are having a perfectly normal day. But online, the fires and riots are still raging. The powerful algorithms that fuel social media platforms are feeding users days-old and sometimes completely fake content about the recent unrest in L.A., contributing to a sense of nonstop crisis that doesn’t exist beyond a small part of the sprawling city. Unvetted accounts on platforms like X and TikTok, in an apparent bid for clicks, clout and chaos, have preyed on the fears of liberals and conservatives about where last weekend’s clashes will lead. An AI-generated fake video on TikTok purported to show a National Guardsman going by the name Bob livestreaming his preparation for “today’s gassing” of protesters. The video has been viewed more than 960,000 times as of Tuesday afternoon. Many in the comments section called the video a fake, but others appeared to believe it was real. (The video, which was debunked by BBC News, appears to have since been taken down.) “What’s happening on social media is similar to the chaos of the information environment around the 2020 George Floyd protests,” said Renée DiResta, an associate research professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and an expert on how conspiracy theories spread online. “People are trying to discern between real current footage and recycled sensational old footage repurposed for political or financial ends.” In 2025, though, AI-generated images are more abundant, and users have splintered onto different online platforms “where different stories are being told,” DiResta told CNN. Differing realities On X, where right-wing views tend to flourish, influencers are denouncing the anti-ICE protesters as agitators and terrorists, while on the more left-wing Bluesky, prominent users are condemning President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard. Hyperpartisan and hyperactive accounts on X have been wildly overstating the actual volume of unrest in Southern California, furthering the online confusion about the offline situation. One viral post on X falsely claimed on Sunday that there were “breaking” news reports that Mexico was considering “military intervention” in Los Angeles. More than 2 million people have viewed the post as of Tuesday afternoon. Dozens of posts on X have spread conspiracy theories claiming the protesters were government-backed or funded by various sources, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank. Many of those posts have over a million views, and only a handful of them have been fact-checked with X’s community notes features. CNN has requested comment from X and TikTok. Recognizing how viral posts can distort public opinion and potentially exacerbate violence, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office on Sunday night pleaded with the public to “check your sources before sharing info!” in a post on X. The governor’s office also directly debunked some of the info. As some protests in L.A. turned ugly on Sunday evening, Senator Ted Cruz shared a shocking video clip of L.A. Police Department cars on fire and wrote, “this… is… not… peaceful.” The Texas senator’s X post implied the video clip was brand-new, but it was actually from 2020, when the racial justice protests tipped into civil unrest. Cruz was reacting to actor James Woods, one of the prominent conservative X users who promoted the five-year-old fire video. Newsom responded to Woods: “This video is from 2020.” Adding to the confusion, vandals did damage several police cars and set several self-driving cars on fire Sunday evening. But the viral clip reposted by Woods was old. Federal government accounts have been among the misleading sources on social media. A Defense Department “rapid response” account on X claimed Monday morning that “Los Angeles is burning, and local leaders are refusing to respond.” But there were no reports of fires burning in L.A. at the time of the Defense Department’s claim. State media misinformation Russian and Chinese state media have also amplified images of the unrest, whether real or fake. Chinese state media outlets have “rapidly seized on the deployment of Marines in the streets of Los Angeles,” the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy, a think tank, said in an analysis shared with CNN. “In keeping with their coverage of 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, PRC (People’s Republic of China) propaganda outlets have used protests in the United States to dent America’s image abroad and to suggest that the US government’s response to protests at home bears little resemblance to their support for protests overseas,” Bret Schafer, a senior fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, told CNN. Russian state-controlled outlet Sputnik, meanwhile, circulated a photo, also shared by the actor Woods, purporting to show “pallets of bricks” at a protest site. But that photo is actually from a construction site in New Jersey, according to X’s “community notes” feature. Russian state media outlets have also echoed false or misleading claims from pro-Trump influencers about left-wing groups and figures funding the protests, according to Schafer. Moscow “seems less interested in scoring propaganda points and more interested in throwing fuel into a combustible domestic information environment,” he said.
Social media algorithms boost L.A. protest misinformation in ‘combustible’ environment
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Misinformation on Social Media Distorts Perception of Los Angeles Protests"
CNN
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In Los Angeles, while most residents go about their daily lives, social media platforms are amplifying misinformation about local protests, creating a misleading sense of ongoing chaos. Algorithms on platforms like X and TikTok are promoting sensationalized and sometimes entirely fabricated content, contributing to heightened anxiety among users. For instance, a viral AI-generated video on TikTok, which falsely depicted a National Guardsman preparing to gas protesters, garnered nearly a million views before being debunked and removed. Experts, including Georgetown University's Renée DiResta, liken this disinformation environment to that surrounding the 2020 George Floyd protests, where users struggle to differentiate between authentic footage and misleading or outdated content repurposed for political gain. The online discourse is sharply polarized, with right-leaning platforms emphasizing narratives of lawlessness while left-leaning spaces criticize governmental responses. This division has resulted in exaggerated claims about the scale of unrest, as seen in a false report of potential military intervention from Mexico, which received millions of views despite lacking any factual basis.
The spread of misinformation is not limited to social media influencers; even official accounts have contributed to the confusion. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office urged the public to verify information before sharing it, highlighting the potential for viral posts to incite real-world violence. Misleading posts have proliferated, including one from Senator Ted Cruz that misrepresented a 2020 video as current footage of unrest. Additionally, foreign state media, particularly from Russia and China, have seized upon the unrest to further their narratives, depicting the U.S. as unstable while promoting disinformation about the protests. For instance, Chinese state media has used the situation to undermine America's global image, while Russian outlets have circulated unfounded claims about protest funding. This manipulation of information underscores the dangers of a fragmented social media landscape, where the truth is often obscured by hyperpartisan narratives and sensationalism, making it increasingly difficult for the public to discern reality from fiction.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of how social media algorithms amplify misinformation during protests in Los Angeles. It highlights the disconnect between the online perception of chaos and the relatively normal day-to-day reality experienced by most residents. The narrative suggests that social media platforms are contributing to a distorted sense of crisis through the propagation of fake content, particularly during politically charged events.
Impact of Social Media Algorithms
The algorithms of platforms like X and TikTok are designed to maximize user engagement, often at the expense of accuracy. This has resulted in the rapid dissemination of misleading information, which can escalate tensions among different political groups. The proliferation of AI-generated content, such as the fake video featuring a purported National Guardsman, exemplifies how easily misinformation can spread and be believed by users.
Public Perception and Misinformation
The article emphasizes the struggle users face in distinguishing between genuine news and sensationalized or recycled footage. By comparing the current unrest to the George Floyd protests, the piece suggests that our information environment has become increasingly chaotic, making it more challenging for individuals to navigate the truth. This environment fosters a sense of hyper-partisanship, where different narratives are amplified based on the political leanings of the platform users engage with.
Manipulative Aspects
Although the article does not overtly claim manipulation, it underscores the role of misinformation in shaping public perception. By focusing on the sensational aspects of protests, the article may inadvertently contribute to a narrative that exaggerates the unrest. This could serve to rally support for specific political agendas or actions, particularly among those already predisposed to fear or distrust opposing viewpoints.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
Similar themes can be found in other news reports focusing on misinformation during protests or politically charged events. These articles often point to the role of social media and algorithms in shaping public discourse. This ongoing concern reflects a broader media narrative about the challenges posed by digital communication in contemporary society.
Potential Socioeconomic and Political Consequences
The misinformation highlighted in the article can have various repercussions, including heightened tensions among communities, increased polarization in political discourse, and potential impacts on policy decisions regarding law enforcement. The portrayal of unrest may also influence economic activities, particularly in areas affected by protests, as businesses react to perceived instability.
Target Audience and Community Support
The article appeals to both liberal and conservative audiences by showcasing the dangers of misinformation that can affect all sides of the political spectrum. It addresses concerns shared by multiple communities regarding the reliability of information encountered online, thus fostering a sense of shared urgency over the issue.
Market Implications
While the article does not directly address market impacts, the portrayal of civil unrest could affect investor sentiment in sectors sensitive to social stability. Companies within retail, tourism, or local services might see fluctuations in stock prices if the narrative of unrest continues to dominate headlines.
Global Power Dynamics
The implications of misinformation extend beyond local protests to reflect broader concerns about the integrity of democratic systems and social cohesion worldwide. The current climate surrounding misinformation ties into global discussions about governance, civil rights, and the role of technology in society.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is plausible that AI tools were employed in the creation of this article, especially in generating headlines or analyzing trends in social media. However, the extent of AI influence on the specific content remains unclear. If AI was used, it may have shaped the emphasis on certain narratives, potentially steering public perception toward a more sensationalized view of events.
In conclusion, this article presents a troubling picture of how misinformation can distort public perception and amplify divisions. Its emphasis on the chaotic information environment raises important questions about the reliability of news consumed by the public. The manipulation of narratives, whether intentional or not, can have significant implications for society as a whole.