Crowd-hire CEO warns America’s protest culture exploited by paid agitators

The head of a national recruitment company warns against this Protest culture in America They have become the target of exploitation – by paid provocateurs, profit-driven interest groups, and even foreign actors seeking to inflame division.

Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, told Fox News Digital that his company has seen firsthand how people who “make money from chaos” can exploit demonstrations instead of promoting real civic issues.

“What worries me is that There are powers “Some of them are local, some of them maybe foreign, they actually want to tear America apart,” Swart said. “These are not actors of the left or right. They are people who make money from chaos.”

His comments come as organizers prepare for the “No Kings” protest, a nationwide demonstration scheduled for October 18 that is expected to denounce political elitism and government overreach.

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Thousands of demonstrators gather outside the Texas State Capitol in Austin, June 14, to participate in a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump. (Reginald Mathalon/Noor Photo via Getty Images)

Swart said his company was approached about the event but declined to participate, calling it a “failure in the making” — another example, he said, of political theater that risks exploitation rather than achieving real persuasion.

“It’s the same people saying the same things they said every time, and getting the same results,” he said.

Organizers behind the No to Kings movement responded to Swart’s characterization, saying the event is expected to attract a turnout “similar to or greater than” the first nationwide demonstration, which they claim attracted about 5 million participants.

A Fox News Digital spokesperson said the protest had “nothing to do with fundraising or voter activation,” calling it instead an attempt to “demonstrate and build resistance against tyranny.”

The movement is built on a commitment to nonviolence and uses extensive security and de-escalation training for volunteers, the spokesperson said.

“We monitor what is happening online in advance and take proactive measures against any identified threats,” the spokesperson said, describing the No Kings campaign as “conscious, thoughtful, organized and centered around non-violence.”

The spokesman added that the first protest recorded “very few incidents” and described the movement as part of a “proud American tradition” of peaceful civil demonstrations.

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Protesters march during the “No Kings” march in Washington, D.C., Saturday, June 14, 2025. (David De Delgado for Fox News Digital)

While the movement has gained support from some progressive groups, Swart said his concerns apply broadly — any large-scale protest is vulnerable to manipulation or infiltration.

Swart described what he calls the “protest industry” — an ecosystem of consultants, activists and influencers who build brands and finance out of political outrage.

Many movements, regardless of their ideology, now function less as popular expressions and more as “performative activism” designed to attract funding, followers or online engagement, he said.

“I took a pay cut to turn this company into a company that supports common sense causes,” he said. “I could earn 10 times more if I said yes to everything. But I don’t want to be part of the hype.”

Swart said Crowds on Demand now rejects contracts it considers divisive or volatile, choosing instead to support meaningful, peaceful demonstrations.

“I want to raise the level of productive expression — not mob drama,” he said.

Swart warned that not all demonstrations are as they seem. In some cases, interest groups or foreign entities can mirror legitimate advocacy networks — legally or otherwise — to hide who is actually behind an event or campaign, he said.

“I know how you can organize a network of advocacy groups legally — and how someone can mirror that illegally,” he said. “I want to help the government find out who is funding the department and shut it down.”

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A demonstrator holds a sign during a “No to Kings” protest in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Swart said increasing political polarization has created fertile ground for opportunists — both domestic and foreign — who thrive on anger and confusion.

He added: “Every time an incident occurs, both sides start pointing fingers.” He added, “The real winners are the ones trying to divide us. They want Democrats and Republicans to blame each other instead of asking who benefits from this.”

Swart said he had seen examples where the target of protest activity was less concerned with persuasion and more concerned with creating viral conflict — an approach that, in his view, benefits those who monetize clicks, chaos and outrage.

His statements have been repeated recently US intelligence warnings Foreign actors—particularly Russia, China, and Iran—use disinformation to amplify divisive narratives in the United States, and could attempt to foment unrest around major political events.

Protesters carry various signs including “People Power” and “No Kings, No Monarchy” at a pro-democracy rally on Hancock Adams Common on April 19, 2025. (Erin Clark/Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Swart also blamed major social media platforms for exploiting anger and accelerating polarization.

“They only make money when you’re in danger,” he said. “If people liked each other, Facebook and X would be a tenth their size.”

He said the problem crosses ideological lines and is driven by sharing economics, not politics.

“People try to label Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg politically, but they both make money from division,” Swart said. “It’s not about right or left, it’s about participation.”

Swart said exploiting division has become a national security concern, warning that instigators and influence networks may be working to destabilize the country for geopolitical gains or gain.

“This is one of the greatest National security He said: “The threats we face – America is disintegrating. Its sources are neither right-wing nor left-wing. The sources are much more sinister than that.”

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Swart stressed that his warnings are not about any one protest or political movement, but rather about a larger pattern — one where manipulation and misinformation can turn public expression into a tool for profit or chaos.

“The protest space needs to be around the target again,” he said. “If we don’t figure this out, we will continue to be manipulated by people who thrive on conflict.”

Swart said he remains hopeful that awareness and transparency will help reduce the risks.

“Hit up, not down,” he said. “Let’s stop pointing fingers and start building the coalition.”

Stephenie Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and immigrant crimes. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.