Reporter trolled for downplaying LA protests as fire rages and explosion erupts behind him: 'Is this AI?'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A reporter in Los Angeles appeared to downplay a fireball like it were just another moody filter.

ABC7’s Tim Caputo found himself on live TV with a fire raging in the background, plumes of black smoke billowing, and the unmistakable sound of an explosion — all while calmly insisting that the “vast majority” of the protesters were just out there taking photos and waving flags.

ABC7 reporter refuses to characterize what's happening in LA as a 'riot'

Tim Caputo told viewers, “From what we've seen... the vast majority are people taking videos, people waving flags, people walking around, people wanting to be part of the cause, wanting to have their voices heard, and wanting to show the power of numbers and the power of force.”

Meanwhile, the camera caught what looked like an actual riot, complete with burning vehicles and mayhem erupting nearby. Even anchor Jory Rand seemed skeptical, asking Caputo if it was "a group that splintered off," making it "look like it's a lot worse than the situation actually playing out on the ground."

Caputo replied like he was trying to talk down a party that got a little out of hand. “That's the quintessential question when you have rallies, demonstrations, riots, if you will. I wouldn't go as far as to call it that. I know President Trump had tweeted about riots and looting — I don't know that I would characterize it that way," he said.

At one point, the reporter even appeared to direct the camera away from the smoke as aerial footage showed cars literally on fire, the Daily Mail reported.

Internet trolls Tim Caputo as he tries to downplay intensifying LA protests

The clip of Tim Caputo reporting on the current situation in LA quickly went viral on social media, and people were quick to put him on blast for his take on the situation unfolding behind him.

An X (formerly Twitter) user posted, "Lol @ABC7TimCaputo is like Trump calls it rioting but I wouldn’t call it that, just a few cars on fire and explosions, the 'vast majority' of protesters are just taking pictures lololol what!?!"

A person remarked, "Has anyone told them that this kind of gaslighting works a lot better when there isn't a massive fire in the background?" whereas someone else added, "The explosion mid-sentence probably didn't help either."

"What all do they have to burn before he thinks it not [a] peaceable protest?" one more wondered. "Is this AI?" another tweeted sarcastically. 

"What an idiot. He thinks we have no eyes to see," an individual wrote. Another quipped, "If you take out the really violent stuff it’s relatively peaceful." 

It all started with immigration raids on Friday, June 6, when federal authorities rounded up dozens of people — alleged illegal migrants and suspected gang members. The arrests didn’t sit well with some locals.

By Sunday, the protests were in full swing. Hundreds gathered near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown LA, where Caputo was reporting from the middle of the chaos.

Demonstrators clashed with federal agents, who responded with control munitions. The crowd then moved to block traffic on the 101 Freeway, prompting the deployment of a 300-strong National Guard unit that used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to curb the violence.

Kamala Harris claps back as Donald Trump blasts California Democrats

President Donald Trump said the deployment of National Guard troops to LA was “necessary” because California Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom, weren't able to handle the protest situation.

Backing him up was House Speaker Mike Johnson, who also slammed California leadership for failing to cooperate with federal efforts.

But former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lives in LA, fired back, calling the Trump administration's efforts a “cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”

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