March 5, 2025 – Bloomington, IL – A newly surfaced video has thrust State Farm Senior Vice President of Innovation & Venture Capital, Haden Kirkpatrick, into the spotlight, with allegations of controversial statements that have ignited debate across social media and news outlets. The footage, released earlier today by O’Keefe Media Group (OMG), purportedly captures Kirkpatrick making candid remarks about homeowners affected by the recent Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles and outlining a shift in the insurance giant’s hiring practices. As of 11:24 PM MST, State Farm has yet to issue an official response, leaving the claims unverified and the public clamoring for clarity.
In the video, Kirkpatrick is allegedly heard stating, “Where the Palisades are, there should never be houses built,” a comment interpreted by critics as blaming victims of the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades area earlier this year. The fires, which destroyed over 6,800 structures and claimed multiple lives, have left homeowners grappling with loss and insurance challenges—challenges compounded by State Farm’s decision last July to drop approximately 1,600 policies in the region, according to data from the California Department of Insurance.
Adding fuel to the fire, Kirkpatrick is also said to have discussed reshaping State Farm’s workforce, expressing a desire to move “away from my own kind”—interpreted as white hires—and toward greater Hispanic and Latino representation. “I want the 2040 workforce,” he reportedly told an undercover journalist, tasking his HR team with finding “the demographic profile of America in 2040: more Hispanic and Latinos.” These remarks have sparked accusations of discriminatory hiring practices, with posts on X echoing sentiments of outrage and disbelief.
The video, credited to investigative journalist James O’Keefe and his OMG News team, has rapidly gained traction online, with prominent voices amplifying its reach. However, the authenticity and context of Kirkpatrick’s statements remain under scrutiny, as State Farm has not confirmed his identity in the footage or endorsed the remarks attributed to him. The company, a major player in the U.S. insurance market, has faced prior criticism for pulling back coverage in high-risk areas like California, a move Kirkpatrick allegedly justified in the video as a calculated response to financial exposure.