Protesting Pays Good CA$H: How Suburbanites Earn Cash via Apps for No Kings Protests
NO KINGS PAID PROTESTORS ARE RELIABLE, WELL SPOKEN, WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES AND THEY'RE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE.
The “No Kings” protest movement in the US, a series of nationwide demonstrations against perceived authoritarian tendencies in the Trump administration (post-2024 election). These protests emphasize anti-monarchy themes, framing Trump as a “king-like” figure, and promote nonviolent action.
They’ve occurred multiple times in 2025, with major events in June and October, drawing millions across 2,500+ locations in all 50 states. Organizers include progressive groups like Indivisible, ACLU, MoveOn, and labor unions (e.g., American Federation of Teachers). Do not kid yourself thinking they are a natural grassroots movement.
The official site (nokings.org) provides an interactive map for rally locations, safety toolkits, and virtual trainings—”apps” and digital coordination tools for suburban and urban participants.
Movement bills itself as grassroots, but has funding controversy.
Critics, especially from conservative outlets, claim it’s astroturfed (fake grassroots) with paid actors, including suburbanites bused in for quick gigs. Below, we break down the key elements based on recent reports and social media.
Funding and Organization
- Major Backers: George Soros’s Open Society Foundations granted ~$7.6–$8 million to Indivisible (a lead organizer) between 2017–2023, per public records. Other funders include Democratic-aligned nonprofits and unions. Protests are coordinated via websites/apps for RSVPs, maps, and logistics (e.g., bus shares).
- Scale: October 18, 2025, events were the largest yet, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attending in NYC. Themes included opposition to immigration policies, government shutdowns, and “authoritarianism.”
- Counter-Narrative: Organizers deny it’s solely elite-driven, pointing to volunteer turnout from diverse groups (e.g., labor unions emphasizing “voice for freedom”).
Claims of Paid Protesters
Conservatives (e.g., Trump allies, Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy) and media like Fox News have repeatedly alleged “paid agitators,” labeling events as Antifa-linked or foreign-influenced. Evidence is anecdotal and quieted often from undercover videos or social posts, but no widespread legal probes have confirmed systemic payments. NYPD’s eyeballs have noticed several similarities. Here’s a summary:
| Claim/Source | Details | Evidence Level | Counterpoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200/Day Offers (Videos on X/Twitter) | Multiple videos (e.g., from James O’Keefe, Wall Street Apes) show men claiming “No Kings” recruiters offered $200/day for June/October protests in NYC/Charlotte. Instructions: Disrupt streets, use provided bricks/signs, paid via apps like CashApp/Zelle. One: “They said June 14th, protesting ICE… chaotic disruptions.” | NYPD is monitoring protesters .(Self-reported; cell phone payments shown). Viral on conservative X accounts (e.g., 4K+ likes). | Organizers call it disinformation; similar claims tied to unrelated gigs (e.g., merch sales). One protester: “I got $5 via CashApp for a flyer—retarded, not paid to protest.” @iFightForKids |
| Suburbanite “Boomers” & “Unemployed whites.” They are favoring trains versus busing | Reports of “well-heeled suburbanites” (e.g., white boomers) chaperoning youth, bused in/out on schedule (e.g., ending at 1 PM). ZeroHedge: “Professional protesters hand-in-hand with city officials.” zerohedge.com Quakertown GOP claimed $40/head locally. | Medium (Eyewitness videos; Reddit threads). X posts show “clueless” sign-holders saying “someone gave me this.” | While there, ties to broad payment schemes; some “payments” were for logistics (e.g., $50 for 2 hours of setup, totaling $350M estimate unverified). @ContraPericulum Protesters: “I RSVPed on Reddit, no pay.” @ProfBootyPhD |
| Crowd-for-Hire Firms | CEO Adam Swart (Crowds on Demand) warned protests attract “paid agitators” for $profit, including foreign actors. X ad: Firm offers “paid protesters anywhere… hold any sign.” @SimulatedLion | Medium (CEO statements; company exists). Protesting has become a paid gig | General industry issue, not No Kings-specific. Reddit: “Paid stated to delegitimize; it’s volunteer-driven.” reddit.com – Realistically, upon arrest, white protestors were unfamiliar with the purpose of the event |
| CashApp/Zelle Mentions | Scattered X/Reddit claims: “$100 via SorosApp text,” “$5 CashApp for socialism flyer,” Craigslist gigs for flags ($200 in Boston, deleted). Self-proclaimed “compensated activist”: “Majority at big events are paid.” newsnationnow.com | Medium (Anecdotal; sufficient proof).Suburban residents taking commuter trains to appear in NYC or other locations on “timed” demand. | Often satirical or isolated (e.g., merch jobs, not protesting). No Kings: “Core principle: Nonviolent, paid action.” |
| Broader GOP Rhetoric | Sen. Roger Marshall: “Paid protesters need National Guard.” cnn.com Trump cabinet: Antifa-funded. | High visibility (Fox/CNN). | CNN analysis: “Extraordinary rhetoric” with moderate evidence; most arrests were counter-protesters. |
Key Takeaways
- Apps/Locations: Yes—nokings.org map + tools like Mobilize.us for RSVPs coordinate “suburbanites” (often described as middle-class families) to local spots.
