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Fact check: How much is No Kings paying protesters ?

Checked on June 15, 2025

1. Summary of the results

There is no evidence that No Kings is paying protesters. Multiple sources consistently describe No Kings as a grassroots movement [1] [2]. The protests are being organized by established organizations including the American Federation of Teachers, Communications Workers of America, and the 50501 movement [1], with additional coordination from the progressive group Indivisible [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question misses several crucial pieces of context:

  • The movement is planning protests in nearly 2,000 locations across the United States [2]
  • It's described as a "nationwide day of defiance" against perceived authoritarianism [3]
  • The movement explicitly emphasizes nonviolent action and is comprised of "everyday Americans" [2]
  • Multiple legitimate organizations are involved in coordinating these protests [1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself appears to stem from a broader misinformation narrative:

  • Far-right accounts have been spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories linking the protests to wealthy individuals like Christy Walton and George Soros [3]
  • The assumption that protesters are being paid benefits those who wish to delegitimize the movement by portraying it as artificially manufactured rather than a genuine grassroots effort
  • Such narratives serve to undermine the credibility of legitimate protest movements by suggesting participants are motivated by financial gain rather than genuine conviction

The evidence suggests this is a volunteer-driven movement [2] organized by established civil society organizations [1], not a paid operation.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the No Kings organization and what are their stated goals?
How do activist organizations typically fund protest activities?
What evidence exists of paid protesters in recent political movements?
What are the legal requirements for disclosing funding sources for political activism?
How can the public verify claims about protest funding and organization?