Paid Protestor Requests Up 400%, Fox News Host Asks ‘Rent a Mob’ CEO Who Is Paying [WATCH]

A tense exchange unfolded Friday morning on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends as co-host Lawrence Jones questioned Crowds on Demand CEO Adam Swart about who was financing the hiring of protesters for political demonstrations.

The discussion centered on recent demonstrations, including “No Kings” protests held in multiple U.S. cities on July 4.

Some of those protests turned violent, including an incident in Portland, Oregon, where rioters stormed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Swart insisted his company focuses on organizing “peaceful protest,” but Jones pressed him on whether paying people to attend events gave an accurate reflection of public opinion.

Jones asked directly if liberal campaigns or nonprofits were funding such demonstrations.

Swart responded by alleging that the Tea Party had also used paid protesters in the past.

“I remember the Tea Party, I was part of the Tea Party and those were organic protests,” Jones said.

“I guess what I’m trying to get at is the Tea Party was moms, dads—”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Swart interrupted, claiming, “They were heavily funded, Lawrence. They were heavily funded.”

Jones pushed back. “People protesting were not paid to protest there,” he said.

“So what I’m asking you is, is there are liberal campaigns paying for, liberal nonprofits? Like, who is cutting the check?”

Over the years, several conservative events, candidates, and politicians have reported being targeted by organized groups of paid demonstrators.

According to the Hindustan Times, Swart has claimed he turned down a $20 million offer to recruit anti-Trump protesters in July.

Swart maintained that “both conservative and liberal groups pay for demonstrations because it’s a good way to advocate for your cause,” calling it “a really important thing.”

Jones interrupted, pressing for specifics.

“No, no, no, Adam, I’m sorry. I asked the question like three times. I’m trying to get specific, who? I understand liberals but that encompasses so much. What organizations—what candidates are footing the bill?”

Swart did not provide the names of any organizations, instead saying that demonstrators are compensated in various ways, including through academic fellowships for organizing protests.

He also claimed that some congressional staff have been paid protesters.

“It’s an interesting business model,” Jones said.

“We look forward to seeing exactly where the money is coming from though. Because I think when you are affecting public policy, everybody likes organic protests, it’s a part of our democracy, but we have groups that are funding—”

Swart interjected, “What we do is organic.”

“It’s not organic,” Jones countered.

“You are paying them. That means it’s totally different. They are professional, paid people.”

Neither Swart nor Crowds on Demand have publicly released details on which organizations finance their contracted protests.

The conversation underscored continuing debate over the role of paid demonstrators in political activism and whether such arrangements distort the perception of grassroots support for causes or candidates.