You might have seen alarming posts about chaos sweeping across Los Angeles lately.
As protests ignited in response to controversial immigration raids, social platforms became a battleground for truth and fiction. Claims circulated depicting the entire city in turmoil, though the actual unrest remained confined mostly to a small area.
Photos and videos showing protesters hurling objects at officers and torching cars quickly went viral. Dramatic footage even showed Waymo taxis set on fire, amplifying the sense of crisis for those scrolling online.
Confusion Grows Amid Clashing Narratives
Online chatter frequently suggested that these protests were not organic but carefully orchestrated provocations aimed at stirring public anger. Many of these posts repeated conspiracy theories that have been around for years, just dressed up for a new audience.
It became hard for many to keep track of what was truly unfolding as social media commentary fractured along sharply divided political lines. Voices supporting President Trump used these moments to justify crackdowns and paint immigrant communities in a negative light.
Amid the escalating tensions, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fueled the narrative by announcing on X that 700 Marines would be sent from a nearby base to protect federal facilities. President Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom’s usual authority in these matters.
With these moves, even more questionable memes and images began circulating, allegedly showing military action in downtown Los Angeles. One image making the rounds was actually a screenshot from the 1983 action film Blue Thunder, showing a dramatic helicopter battle that never happened outside Hollywood studios.
Between staged photos, recycled conspiracies, and outright fabrications, many viewers felt adrift in a sea of contradictory information. The real events were serious but far narrower in scope, and the city itself never descended into the full-scale chaos painted on so many screens.
