An astonishing number of Trump supporters took the dangling video bait and swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.
After last weekend's Hands Off! protests across the country, TikTok creator @redsaidblue posted a satirical video, sprinkled with subtle digs at popular MAGA stereotypes, in which she claimed to be attending the protest as a paid participant. In the video, she described what she could and couldn’t wear, who her point of contact was, and that she would receive a bonus for bringing a sign.
"I got paid $100 for going to the protest, and I got an extra $10 for bringing the sign," she confesses to viewers in character as a Trump supporter going over to the other side to make a few bucks. "Overall, it was a pretty good experience. The people were pretty nice."
A MAGA supporter on X (formerly Twitter) with over 200,000 followers, "@TheEXECUTlONER_", posted the performance to his account and encouraged other Trump supporters to share it. The buffoonery sailed by unchecked by rational thought or rudimentary critical thinking.
There were 1,400 Hands Off! demonstrations across the country on Saturday. The majority drew well over 1,000 participants. Conservatively, someone or some entity would have spent around $140 million (before signs). The kicker: an estimated 3 million people took part in the nationwide protests. If all the marchers were punching the proverbial clock, someone would have spent $300 million—which might have been a boon to the economy after the stock market experienced its steepest plunge since COVID, during Trump’s first term.
While @redsaidblue wasn’t actually paid to protest—it's not clear if she even attended one—the blue-check MAGA user is making bank. As of this story, the video had been shared by 24,000 other accounts on the social media platform. While the young woman wasn’t actually paid for the protest, the account that posted her video is cleaning up, having collected 47,000 likes and over 3,000 comments so far.
Meanwhile, the creator began receiving negative backlash from liberals for posting the video, which she eventually took down. She is now attempting to remove copies from the internet. Supporters from the left were enraged, claiming her video added fuel to the political fire by implying extreme right conservatives aren’t smart enough to recognize when they’re being punked.
It appears her critics were right. The video—or screenshots with text excerpts from it—is circulating on conservative social media channels as supposed proof that liberal protesters are social justice mercenaries, reinforcing the narrative that liberals only protest against the Trump administration because they are paid.
Redsaidblue posted a follow-up video to her TikTok account yesterday, apologizing to fellow liberals for harming their movement.
"I truly thought it was so obvious that it was a joke. I thought that if anyone did take it seriously, if they shared it with someone else, the next person would be like, "Bro, that's satire".
Do paid protesters actually exist? They don't, according to an article from USA Today.
"Time after time, claims of "paid protesters" have been debunked, sometimes by the very people who made them in the first place," according to an article by John R. Roby.
Leo Gertner wrote a piece for The Washington Post entitled, "So what if protesters are paid?"
Gertner wrote, "So the next time someone tries to discredit a movement by insinuating that some of the people on the ground are being compensated, ask the all-important question: So what?"
What's the old saying? Freedom isn't free.
I once read, "If you’re getting a free product, then you are the product." That line stuck with me.
by Rashmi Rekha Das
Facebook launched its Creator Program in November 2017 with the goal of competing with platforms like YouTube and Twitch by supporting video creators with tools, insights, and monetization options. Through this program, creators can earn money based on their content’s engagement, with payments deposited directly into their accounts.
To get started, a creator must either create a Facebook Page or switch their profile to professional mode. Success hinges on consistency, quality content, audience interaction, and effective use of Facebook’s tools. Facebook issues weekly challenges, and creators must complete them to qualify for rewards.
Popular Content Types
Video content dominates the platform. Among the most popular formats are live streams, 30- to 60-second videos, and user-generated clips, which attract the most attention globally. Other content types include polls, static posts, and text-based updates, though they generally see less engagement.
Videos with eye-catching visuals or graphics tend to perform well. Controversial or emotionally charged content also drives traffic and comments. Posts that ask questions or encourage interactions—likes, shares, and comments—often go viral.
The Pros and Cons for Creators and Consumers
I once read, “If you’re getting a free product, then you are the product.” That line stuck with me. Is this still true today? Every time we scroll through social media, we’re bombarded with content—it feels like it’s raining videos.
Every coin has two sides. On the plus side, the Creator Program gives users a way to showcase their skills while earning money. Live videos and interactive content let creators build deeper, more personal connections with their audience.
But here’s the twist: Not every creator gets paid. To qualify, they must meet specific performance goals and complete challenging tasks. In trying to meet those targets, many creators start posting low-quality or even harmful content just to stay relevant or boost engagement.
Some resort to sharing overly personal moments, including private family matters. It’s not uncommon to see people uploading emotional videos about deceased relatives or revealing too much about their daily lives. Nudity, violence, and clickbait have also become common. The pressure to perform can lead to poor decisions and exploitative behavior. Some content creators overshare personal details, including sensitive family matters, for engagement. Emotional videos about deceased relatives, personal disputes, and even nudity, violence, and clickbait have become commonplace. Many content creators have also faced excessive trolling, which can negatively impact their mental health.
Extreme Incidents for Engagement
Here are some incidents where Facebook users went to extremes to gain engagement:
1. Fatal Stunt on Purvanchal Expressway
In October 2022, a tragic accident occurred on the Purvanchal Expressway in India. Occupants of a BMW sedan livestreamed themselves speeding at more than 200 km/h on Facebook. Moments later, the vehicle crashed, killing all four passengers. The incident highlighted the dangers of reckless driving behaviors promoted on social media platforms.
2. Photographer’s Murder Livestreamed
In Sanford, Florida, photographer Lauren Ashley Martin was allegedly shot and killed by Savon Chantay Tyler following a dispute over photographs. Tyler’s girlfriend, Lakevia Davonna Pringle, reportedly livestreamed the aftermath on social media. Both suspects faced serious charges, underscoring the misuse of social media to broadcast violent acts.
3. Dangerous Bridge Jumping Stunt
A group of individuals recorded themselves jumping from the 30-meter-high Dickabram Bridge into the Mary River in Queensland, Australia. The video, posted on Facebook, garnered significant attention. Authorities warned that such dangerous stunts could lead to severe injuries or fatalities and indicated potential legal consequences for those involved.
The Privacy Risk: Data Breaches
Data breaches can expose sensitive personal information, including names, email addresses, locations, and even financial details. In 2019, data from more than 530 million Facebook users—including phone numbers and other private information—was leaked online. The breach did not result from hacking but from scraping public profiles.
In another case, a third-party app accessed users’ photos, including unpublished ones. The real danger isn’t just data collection but its potential misuse, whether through leaks, sales, or unauthorized access. Social media platforms like Facebook have blurred the line between creator and consumer, offering monetization opportunities while also pressuring users to trade privacy for engagement. Consumers must stay mindful of what they watch and share, and creators should carefully consider the cost of exposing their personal lives for clicks and revenue.
Brain Rotting and Its Impact on Mental Health
Excessive social media use is often linked to cognitive decline, commonly referred to as “brain rotting.” It promotes passive consumption, shortens attention spans, and weakens problem-solving abilities. Additionally, it contributes to anxiety and depression due to constant comparisons, cyberbullying, and dopamine-driven addiction. The endless scrolling encouraged by these platforms disrupts sleep, fuels FOMO (fear of missing out), and leaves users feeling unfulfilled.
Short-form content conditions the brain for instant gratification, making deep focus and sustained attention more difficult. However, social media also has positive aspects—it raises mental health awareness, provides support networks, offers educational content, and fosters creativity.
To counteract its negative effects, users can set screen time limits, curate positive content, take regular social media detoxes, engage in offline activities, and practice mindful usage. Striking a healthy balance between the digital and real world is key to preventing cognitive decline while still benefiting from social media’s advantages.
After all, when something is free, the real cost might be hidden in plain sight.
About the Author:
Rashmi Rekha Das is a digital marketer with extensive experience in startups based in Bangalore. Passionate about digital trends, she writes to create awareness about the effects of social media and online monetization.
TOLONO - On Friday, one individual or an ad-hoc group of anonymous posters authored a series of over 70 amusing weather/school-related posts in the Tolono Wire, a private Facebook group with over six thousand members for residents to share community information. The series started at 10:48 AM, and Facebook shows the last one posted at 7:39 PM.
What started as a dig at the school district for not canceling school due to a light snow event drew the ire of some and laughs from other members of the page.
A couple of post attracted the attention of WCIA meterologist joined the fun with a few humorous posts of his own.
A post tagging #wica at 1:22 asked, "Where is Jacob Dickey when you need him!?" Barely an hour later, Dickey was in front of the high school taking a selfie he posted to his Facebook page.
Here's a peek at the top 35 posts, in chronological order, with the most interactions (likes/love).
What some people thought
While the majority of posters were entertained, a handful Tolono residents did not appreciate the humor. Here are 20 comments out of hundreds users posted the anonyomous messages on Friday.
T.P. wrote: "THANK YOU! All these people on here saying we’re soft and this is why we don’t learn anything…while not knowing the difference between there and their. 😭Some people are so stiff. Please take it down a notch. You forget that you were us once!"
M.G. wrote: "I don't know which I find more hilarious; all these posts, or all the adults with no sense of humor, getting their panties in a bunch lol!! Come on folks you only live once! Laugh a little geez!! 🤣 🤣 🤣"
J.S. wrote: "If I could possibly help to lower anyone’s blood pressure over the “anonymous get out early posts”. The majority of them are coming from students who are disappointed after they were notified that they are not letting school out early. The posts are making me chuckle a little. Specifically the one “these sweet children shouldn’t be in school , the roads are dangerous”😂😂 I have also noticed quite a few more students asking to join, I would anticipate more anonymous posts coming soon 😂"
T.G. wrote: "How do we know that the kids just asked to go outside and do it? Like everyone is jumping to conclusions"
C.L. wrote: "Sounds like someone is posting just to create drama."
B.R. wrote: "We couldn't do this back in my generation because anonymous posts weren't a thing! Gatley would have had us in his office in 2 seconds 😂"
J.S. wrote: "It's school kids. They are just having a bit of fun"
M.B. wrote: "I am having a stressful day and this is making my day better 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"
J.D. wrote: "Aren't the students supposed to have their phones put away during the day (with lots of sarcasm)"
A.A. wrote: "Have you seen the grammar?!? It’s definitely not the teachers 🤣🤣"
S.S. wrote: "Whose dad is this? This movie came out 21 years ago! Also I love this movie!"
J.S. wrote: "I loved all these post !! Clean fun shenanigans hurt NOONE !!"
S.B. wrote: "Not funny at all" and on another post, "I totally agree STOP"
K.E. wrote: "And best post of the day award goes to.... 🤣🏆"
T.H. wrote: "I’m from Teutopolis. In my town, school was never cancelled if there was a basketball game to be played that night. (That’s how winners win…if you want to beat T-Town, you have to stay in school.)"
F.L. wrote: "I’m not even from yall area but these threads are absolutely entertaining 🤣🤣"
T.H. wrote: "I think they need to remove everyone that’s not from Tolono !"
T.C. wrote: "I'ma just say it... These posts have made me laugh all day today!! Thanks for the laughs and smiles!! Now enjoy the weekend peeps and know we raised some humorous children in this town IDC who says different"
A.M. wrote: "Harmless fun and we have all played a prank or two on our lives. It was cleaver and funny. Knowbody got hurt."
C.H. wrote: "Boomers be boomering"
L.M. wrote: "The kids were having a bit of fun. Yes during school hours but oh well. It is much better then them being bad and fighting. It was hilarious!!!!!"
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
CHICAGO - An Illinois law professor is weighing in on what she called a "very public and open test of due process" for immigrants being deported from the United States without court hearings. Read more . . .
CHAMPAIGN - In a show of solidarity against President Donald Trump's trade and immigration policies, which critics say are harming families and retirement savings, more than a thousand protesters gathered Saturday at West Park near downtown Champaign for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally. Read more . . .
Photo Galleries
A couple of runners found themselves in the wrong race at this year's Illinois Marathon. Over 60 photos from the race that you should see.
by Cab Ivanovich
TOLONO - On Friday, one individual or an ad-hoc group of anonymous posters authored a series of over 70 amusing weather/school-related posts in the 
