Adam Swart, the CEO of a crowd-for-hire company, has raised alarms about the potential exploitation of protests in the United States by paid agitators, profit-driven organizations, and foreign actors. He warned that these groups are taking advantage of America’s protest culture to fuel division and chaos, with the ultimate goal of profiting from the unrest. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Swart expressed his concerns to the public, emphasizing that such actions are taking place both domestically and internationally, and that they may not be tied to any specific political ideology, but rather driven by financial gain.
Swart’s comments came in the context of the upcoming ‘No Kings’ protest, a nationwide demonstration aimed at addressing political elitism and government overreach. The protest is planned for October 18, and organizers have expressed confidence in its potential scale, with an anticipated turnout comparable to or larger than the first nationwide demonstration, which drew about 5 million participants. While organizers have stated that the event does not have financial motives and is instead focused on peaceful resistance against authoritarianism, Swart has remained skeptical, arguing that the movement may still be vulnerable to manipulation.
Swart’s concerns about the protest industry extend beyond this specific event, as he has described an ecosystem that includes consultants, operatives, and influencers who profit from political outrage. He has argued that many movements have evolved into ‘performative activism,’ aimed at attracting funding, followers, or online engagement rather than fostering genuine civic engagement. In order to combat this, Swart has adjusted his company’s operations to focus on supporting peaceful and purposeful demonstrations, rather than those that could lead to chaos or division.
In addition to domestic actors, Swart has also raised concerns about foreign influence, particularly from countries such as Russia, China, and Iran, which he believes are using disinformation to amplify divisive narratives within the United States. These foreign actors, according to U.S. intelligence assessments, seek to exacerbate political tensions and unrest, particularly around major political events. Swart has suggested that identifying and shutting down these influence networks is crucial to maintaining national security and preventing the country from becoming increasingly divided.
Swart has also criticized social media platforms for their role in monetizing outrage and intensifying political polarization. He pointed out that the business models of these platforms rely on users engaging in conflict-driven content, which fuels polarization and division. The CEO has argued that the real winners of this situation are not political actors but rather the organizations and individuals who can profit from the chaos, regardless of whether they are positioned on the left or the right.
Despite the criticisms, Swart has maintained that his company’s mission is to advance common-sense causes and avoid being part of the ‘noise’ created by divisive rhetoric. He has also faced scrutiny for his past allegations, including claims that he was offered $20 million to recruit protesters for anti-Trump demonstrations. However, he has not provided evidence to back these accusations and continues to focus on his current concerns about the integrity of public demonstrations and the potential for them to be manipulated for financial gain.