Mass Protests in Los Angeles Fuel AI-Driven Misinformation Waves

Los Angeles has experienced significant protests following Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that led to mass arrests of immigrants suspected of living in the U.S. illegally. In response, President Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to the city, escalating tensions with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who challenged the federal deployment in court. The protests have been accompanied by a surge of misinformation and false content circulating widely on social media, including AI-generated videos falsely depicting National Guard soldiers and unfounded claims linking protest groups to foreign socialist or communist governments. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum faces political pressure domestically and internationally, as accusations arise accusing her of encouraging violence in the U.S., which she denies while affirming support for peaceful protest and immigrant rights. Experts highlight the role of political polarization in fueling misinformation during these protests, and fact-checkers continue to debunk misleading claims to clarify the situation. Meanwhile, organizers plan further peaceful demonstrations amid concerns of potential state-sanctioned violence and attempts to undermine media coverage.