The gay couple at the center of last month’s altercation with MAGA influencer Ryley Niemi now claim he and his show exploited their story to chase viral fame and internet clout.
David and Anthony Vullin allege that Niemi and his show “Off The Record” inserted themselves into their community with the intention of triggering people.
“When someone inserts themself into a specific community with the intention of triggering people, it’s not freedom of expression. It’s exploitation,” David Vullin told CNN.
David and Anthony Vullin allege that Niemi and his show “Off The Record” cast them as pawns, exploiting their story to chase viral fame and internet clout. CNN
“When someone inserts themself into a specific community with the intention of triggering people, it’s not freedom of expression. It’s exploitation,” said David Vullin. CNNThe network tracked down Niemi to press him on whether his approach is designed to provoke outrage or if he genuinely stands by the politics he promotes.
Niemi claimed his drive is political, though he admitted his tactics can also be lucrative.
“The rate at which my social media is growing, I could easily live off it, in probably four or five months,” he said.
Niemi claimed his drive is political, though he admitted his tactics can also be lucrative. CNNMeanwhile, the Vullins countered that the problem goes beyond any single creator, pointing to a system that rewards controversy.
“This is about large platforms telling youthful audiences what works, and not being held accountable.”
The confrontation happened on April 16, when Niemi and “Off The Record USA” interviewed the couple about adoption rights.
The conversation erupted into violence soon after Niemi said, “gay men are statistically much more likely to commit child molestation,” and asked if the two men had paid $50,000 to a woman to get pregnant, according to an Instagram video.
David then charged at Niemi, hitting him several times on the back of the head and pushing him into the camera, the video shows.
On April 16, Niemi and “Off The Record USA” interviewed the couple about adoption rights, but the conversation erupted into violence when David lashed out. Instagram/@Ryley.niemi
David charged at Niemi, hitting him several times on the back of the head and pushing him into the camera. Instagram/@Ryley.niemiNiemi has since launched a GoFundMe campaign for support. The site states, “What started as a routine interaction quickly escalated into a violent encounter.”
“Ryley was physically assaulted, and the situation became serious enough that over a dozen emergency responders arrived at the scene.”
It added, “In the middle of the incident, one of our primary cameras, a Sony A7C II, was completely destroyed.”
“We are currently taking the appropriate steps to pursue justice through the proper legal channels,” the fundraising message added.
The Vullins’ lawyer, however, argues the couple was deliberately targeted with vile hate speech, all captured on camera for clicks, and insists, “David Vullin did what any father would do and protected his family. The wrong person spent the night in jail.”
A booking log from the West Hollywood Sheriff station shows that David Vullin was arrested and charged with a felony for “vandalism with loss valued equal or greater than $400.”
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