As America experiences one of its most fragile moments in modern memory, YouTuber Jake Paul seemed to be taking advantage of the nation's anguish to create content.
He has now issued a statement addressing the controversy.
After the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale, Arizona was looted, video from Jake Paul's Instagram confirmed that the YouTube star and his friends were present during the looting, and seemed to be filming content.
YouTube star Jake Paul and his friends were caught “looting" and trashing property in a Scottsdale mall last night amid protests pic.twitter.com/KyrE87TvA9
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) May 31, 2020
More video of Jake Paul's escapades last night pic.twitter.com/KyrE87TvA9
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) May 31, 2020
Whether or not Paul took part in the actual looting, his recording of the acts for his monetized channel were condemned by many online.
Important to note that it's unclear whether Paul himself and his friends destroyed any property/looted themselves, or were just recording it for material for his vlog. Fans are outraged either way. https://t.co/4RTzG0wJja
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) May 31, 2020
Our hearts are broken for our community.
At this time Scottsdale Fashion Square is closed. We'll get through this together and we look forward to seeing you soon. pic.twitter.com/jthIofUwu7
— Scottsdale Fashion Square (@ScottsdaleFS) May 31, 2020
Paul issued a statement claiming he didn't participate in the looting but that he felt it was his responsibility to record what was happening.
pic.twitter.com/kwsQ2jyMm1
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 31, 2020
People online, meanwhile, didn't quite believe Paul's statement.r
You are on camera with a bottle of vodka looted from a PF Chang's.
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) May 31, 2020
with this jake paul looting "situation" - I'm mainly just confused to who goes looting and decides the thing they're going to take is PF Changs vodka
— inabber (@iNabber69) June 1, 2020
Twitter has already had their fill of people who have escalated these protests for their own amusement without any regard for the danger many others are facing.
Btw, people like jake paul are the reason I stopped YouTube. When people like that are the ones that succeed on there, the ones that people want to watch, I have no desire to a part of that. I will never be like him & if that's what it takes to get views then I'm out.
— Meghan McCarthy (@MeghanWMcCarthy) May 31, 2020
I've been seeing a lot of fellow punks at protests and I just wanna say I hope you're there to support the black people in your community and not to just riot and live out your anarchist dream.
— syd (@punker_irl) May 31, 2020
As much as everyone wants to trash Jake Paul specifically for joining the riots, he's acting like a lot of folks. Thrilled by the spectacle, recording incriminating videos, lying about his intentions for being there, and blowing off steam about the pandemic and the lockdown. pic.twitter.com/2wn5oJ1tUX
— 🤖NERD CITY💀 (@nerdcity) May 31, 2020
If Paul really wanted to support the movement, he wouldn't have brought cameras.
this. to the jake paul's of the world, those EMBODYING white privilege, publicly victimizing themselves for being tear gassed yet showing up with vlog cameras only to loot and trash the city is beyond unacceptable. if you're not coming to fight for black lives, don't come at all. https://t.co/G0r8w60FTU
— Lauren Sanderson (@LaurenSanderson) May 31, 2020
Jake Paul trying to explain why he wasn't at the raid the other day pic.twitter.com/7ejIsghjsB
— 🌼Alicia @ #Blacklivesmatter🌹 (@Hornypillr) June 1, 2020
The world will never run out of reasons to be angry with Jake Paul.
when did Jake Paul learn how to use semicolons https://t.co/oozqHjBjP9
— Dr. Fresch (@DrFresch) May 31, 2020
Here's footage I took of the actual #PhoenixProtest. This was a peaceful protest and was a night and day difference from the events that happened last night with @jakepaul and company vandalizing Scottsdale. pic.twitter.com/ZWs9d310sf
— Former Democrats for Trump (@YoungDems4Trump) June 1, 2020
Literally makes me sick. He goes there to film content not for any other reasons. You were caught trying to break windows. Sit this one out Jake Paul 🤡 pic.twitter.com/HIoquD33Cs
— KristaDeBono (@KristaKimberly) June 1, 2020
If you're looking for a way to help the world during these times of crisis, don't take your lead from Jake Paul.
Welcome to Another Episode of: How Does Jake Paul Always Manage to be Wrong?
— aksel (@aksually) May 31, 2020
Don't be Jake Paul.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) May 31, 2020
To all those out protesting, remember to be safe and to avoid filming, unlike Jake Paul.
Looking The Amazing Race GIF by CBS
So What Laughing GIF by P!NK
Kamala Harris GIF by GIPHY News
frozen GIF by Walt 