Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump addresses a rally at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA, on August 30, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
A man entered the press area at Donald Trump’s rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Friday (August 30, 2024) while the former president was speaking, but was surrounded by police and sheriff’s deputies and eventually subdued with a Taser.
The controversy comes after Mr Trump criticised major media outlets for what he said was unfavourable coverage and described a CNN interview with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz on Thursday (August 29, 2024) as flattering.
According to a video of the incident posted on social media by a CBS News reporter, the man climbed over bicycle racks around the media area and began climbing up the back of a riser, where television reporters and cameras were positioned. People around him tried to pull him off the riser and police officers soon joined them.
The crowd cheered as a police team led the man away, prompting Mr Trump to say, “Is there any place more fun than a Trump rally?” Moments later, police handcuffed another man from the crowd and led him out of the arena, though it was unclear whether his detention was related to the initial altercation.
The incident comes amid heightened security checks at Mr Trump’s rallies after a gunman opened fire on himDuring an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a man touched his ear. Security at political events has been tightened since the shooting.
It’s unclear what was motivating the man or whether he was a Trump supporter or critic. Fierce criticism of the media is a common part of Trump’s rally speeches, leading his supporters to turn toward the press section and boo, often using the middle finger to show their dislike of reporters.