Trump tweeted a theory Tuesday about a 75-year-old man who was brutally shoved by police in Buffalo, New York. Suggesting the conspiracy that perhaps the man was a "set-up."
The President called the man an “ANTIFA provocateur,” alleging the protester was seeking to “set up” the police officers who assaulted him.
“Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN.
Trump cited the conservative cable channel One America News Network.
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
June 9, 2020
The two police officers who pushed the man were charged with assault after a video showed them shoving an elderly man, who then stumbled backward and hit his head on the pavement.
BREAKING: Buffalo’s police commissioner orders immediate Internal Affairs investigation into this incident: 2 officers shoving an elderly man, who walked up to them, to the ground. @news4buffalo reports the man suffered a laceration & possible concussionpic.twitter.com/qbTvXAAPLH
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud)
June 5, 2020 Identified as a peace activist, Martin Gugino, 75, the incident took place Thursday at the end of a protest. Gugino was taken away by ambulance, and according to WIVB he suffered a possible concussion.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn announced Saturday that officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski are facing one count each of second-degree assault for their roles in the incident. Both officers have pleaded not guilty.
