Meet the creator

If you’ve been scrolling through your FYP lately, you might have seen Ed Choi—known online as @etchaskej—at the center of a major online firestorm. Choi, a former stand-up comic and clothing brand co-founder with nearly 800,000 followers, is currently the main character of a political controversy after his sit-down with Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman went viral.

In the video, which dropped Monday night, Choi and Raman discuss LA politics, with Choi calling the city "extremely fascist" due to Mayor Karen Bass appointing Jim McDonnell as police chief. The two then say together, "Only you can stop fascist liars." The edit even features a red X over McDonnell’s face.

The fallout

Raman’s team didn't stay quiet long. They clarified that Choi added those images after the interview was recorded, and that the "fascist liars" comment was intended to target ICE and the Trump administration, not the local officials shown. The campaign has since distanced itself from the post and requested that Choi take the video down.

A pattern of influence

This isn't Choi’s first time dealing with major internet backlash. He’s lowkey built a massive platform by diving into intense social justice battles. Last year, he targeted the restaurant group Great White with over a dozen videos following allegations of racial segregation at their Melrose location. While the restaurant’s owners denied all claims of discrimination and faced harassment, Choi publicly spoke out against the threats they were receiving.

He also played a huge role in the viral campaign against San Francisco’s Kis Cafe, where his reaction video racked up over 3.2 million views. That spot eventually closed after the pressure mounted, though it later reopened under new leadership. More recently, Choi has been using his platform to support anti-ICE causes and fundraisers for detainees. He even claimed federal agents visited his home regarding his online work, though federal authorities haven't confirmed any official investigation.

Why it matters

Choi’s content shows how fast a creator can shift the narrative in a political race. Whether he's calling out local businesses or tackling federal policy, his reach proves that in the social media era, one viral edit can spark a full-blown crisis, and the vibes are off for everyone involved. Real talk: it’s a wild reminder of how much power digital creators have when it comes to framing political discourse.