Grifter
Etymology
From "grift," early-1900s American carnival and underworld slang for a swindle; the origin is uncertain but it is most likely an alteration of "graft," meaning illicit gain. A grifter was originally a con artist working fairs and crowds. The internet revived it for figures who turn outrage or ideology into a revenue stream.
noun · /GRIF-ter/
Someone who runs a long-term con — building an audience, cause, or persona mainly to extract money or status from believers.
What it names
The modern online sense sharpens an old word: it names the operator whose real product is the hustle itself, useful for distinguishing a sincere advocate from a person monetizing sincerity.
Example
Every crisis he pivots to a new cause and a new fundraiser — classic grifter behavior.
Related idea
A charlatan fakes expertise he lacks; a grifter may or may not have real skills, but the defining move is running the con for the take.