(2026-01-15 06:25:00) — Viral posts falsely linking recent protests to building fires are recirculating images from the 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd.
Social media users are sharing images and videos claiming to show widespread destruction during current protests in the United States. These posts often allege that protesters are burning down buildings linked to supporters of former President Donald Trump. However, these claims are misleading and rely on old footage.
- Posts circulating on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) falsely claim recent protests involve widespread arson.
- The images and videos used in these posts originate from the 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
- The posts emerged following the death of Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was killed during an anti-immigrant raid by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
- President Trump stated the ICE agent acted in self-defense, a claim disputed by local Democratic opposition and supported by video evidence.
The Misinformation
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Publications on Facebook, Instagram, and X are sharing posts stating, “Protesters in the United States burned down buildings linked to extremist Trump supporters amid an unprecedented wave of escalation,” according to reports. Similar posts are circulating in English. These posts often include a video showing a building engulfed in flames.
Tracing the Origins
A reverse Google search of keyframes from the viral video led to a post on X by Max Nesterak, a journalist for the Minnesota Reformer, dated May 28, 2020. Nesterak described scenes in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer. He wrote, “This is my neighborhood. You can see the flames a mile away and feel the heat a block away.”
Further investigation revealed another post on Facebook, dated May 29, 2020, featuring the same footage with the caption: “Police precinct went up in flames last night during protests following the death of #GeorgeFloyd.” AFP reports from May 2020 (1, 2) documented the sometimes violent demonstrations that erupted in Minneapolis after Floyd’s death.
The viral posts in 2026 copied a version of the video with an ABC News logo. The original video was first publicly posted on Facebook on May 28, 2020.
Current Protests and Context
The renewed circulation of this footage comes after Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed during an anti-immigrant raid by an ICE agent, as reported by Swissinfo.ch. Following her death, President Trump stated the agent likely acted in self-defense, a claim refuted by local Democratic opposition and supported by video evidence. Good’s death sparked demonstrations in cities including Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. The AFP reported that demonstrations in Minneapolis were largely peaceful.
Why It Matters
The spread of this misinformation highlights the ongoing challenge of verifying information during periods of social unrest. The deliberate misrepresentation of events, using old footage to falsely portray current situations, can exacerbate tensions and erode trust in legitimate news sources. This incident underscores the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking before sharing information online, particularly on social media platforms.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by AFP and added independent analysis and context.
