Protests by immigrants in Los Angeles have sparked a wave of misinformation on social media, adding to the confusion in an already tense situation.
The incidents, along with the various interpretations surrounding them, showcase the significant role social media plays during crises.
Interestingly, the involvement of AI chatbots has been rising, leading some users to question the accuracy of information shared online.
“History repeats itself… We often see echoes of past events, and new technologies can provide fresh angles,” remarks Darren Linville, a researcher at the Media Forensic Hub at Clemson University.
While some real-time updates emerged from the protests, deceptive images and conspiracy-driven content misled many, garnering extensive views.
These misleading posts circulated widely, from minor accounts to politicians like Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Cruz shared a video depicting various police cars being damaged, suggesting that the Los Angeles protests were not as peaceful as some claimed. However, it was later revealed that the footage was from a 2020 protest linked to George Floyd’s death, prompting calls for its removal.
The press office of California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the issue on social media, cautioning that such misinformation only fuels the chaotic narrative that Trump is promoting. They also urged the public to verify sources before sharing content.
“High-risk events—whether related to natural disasters or terror—set the stage for misinformation to thrive,” said Isabel Francis Wright, director of the Institute of Technology and the Association for Strategic Dialogue.
Some posts even took images from video games and films, like “Blue Thunder,” exaggerating the military presence in Los Angeles after Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to manage the protests.
“People are inclined to accept information that aligns with their beliefs,” Linville noted. “Regardless of its truth, they often share it.”
On TikTok, an AI-generated video circulated showing National Guard members in LA, but it lacked the usual “AI-generated” label, which raised eyebrows. A fact-check pointed out its inaccuracies, asserting that it was not a genuine portrayal.
This video, shared by an account named @maybenotquitereal, recorded over 970,000 views by Tuesday.
Experts indicate this scenario underscores the growing impact of social media on public perception, especially with AI’s rising role.
“This could exacerbate issues globally, as people become more emotionally invested in their beliefs,” Linville warned. He went on to say that every sensational false story only amplifies the situation and may provoke more real-world unrest.
As users try to navigate the information landscape, AI chatbots like X’s Grok and OpenAI’s ChatGPT assist in assessing the realism of posts. Still, this reliance on technology raises concerns about trust and accuracy, according to Linville.
“People tend to place their faith in technology, especially when it supports their views,” he stated.
While the chatbots have identified several false claims, some users reported confusion regarding photographs posted by Newsom, which depicted military personnel struggling without basic amenities.
One user claimed to have used ChatGPT to reverse search the photos, which allegedly dated back to the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, igniting speculation about Newsom’s images. Another reviewer spotted inconsistencies, but Grok later asserted that the photos were indeed relevant to recent events.
Francis Wright pointed out that the fact-checking mechanism on social media platforms often struggles with consistency, leading to varying standards of truthfulness in different posts.
Amidst the disarray, conspiracy theories flourished, a common occurrence during turbulent times.
Alex Jones has claimed the protests are orchestrated by “deep state” Democrats, a theory echoed by his large following, despite a lack of concrete evidence.
Additionally, several posts appeared, claiming that influential Democrats financed protests, further fanning the flames of discontent.
“It’s a civil war!” exclaimed one user in a widely viewed post, which was later clarified as baseless by community notes.
Real Law News, often associated with misinformation, alleged that U.S. Marines had arrested a California National Guard leader, a claim lacking any credible backing, yet it gained traction among users.
Experts have indicated that Trump’s stance on immigration and the atmosphere of unrest has bolstered such misleading narratives, showing how misinformation can serve political agendas.
“Some actors aim to exploit these moments and the ensuing confusion for political gain,” Francis Wright suggested, highlighting the ongoing challenges technology poses to society and the information landscape.
