(WBEN) - President Trump has weighed in on the video that put Buffalo in the international spotlight.
The video, that shows 75-year old Martin Gugino pushed to the ground by a Buffalo Police officer, resulted in immediate suspension and charges filed against the two officers invloved. Gugino is still hospitalized after the incident that caused him to bleed from the head.
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, 2020In a Tuesday morning tweet, Trump said "75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications." He added that he felt Gugino "fell harder than was pushed."
With his tweet, Trump attempted to cast doubt on video showing Buffalo police shoving the man, who fell backward and hit his head on the sidewalk. He was seen bleeding from his head as officers walk away.
There is no evidence to suggest that anything of the sort took place. Trump was referencing a report on One America News Network, a far-right news channel that he often praises.
Fallout from the president's tweet
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown responded in a statement that the city is focused on healing after several days of talks about achieving racial equity.
"We will not be distracted from this urgent work," Brown said in a statement. "Our focus on positive change is stronger than ever. My administration remains hopeful that Mr. Gugino will experience a full recovery. And that the officers involved in this case receive due process under law."
Victoria Ross of the Western New York Peace Center, the activist group that Gugino often protests with, called President Trump's words "ludicrous".
"Martin is principled," Ross said. "His singular characteristic is non-violence. He is devoted to Catholic Worker Movement...people who almost in a Christ-like way, will risk their freedom and incarceration for up to 20 years...These are people who are willing to sacrifice their life to amplify messages for the common good."
"It's all made up," Cuomo said. "It's all fabricated. There's no fact to any of it. He accuses this man of being associated with Antifa with no proof whatsoever, no fact, just an assertion."
Cuomo said it was a "dumb comment" by the president and that he's pouring gasoline on the fire.
Ross said Gugino has also been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
Gugino's attorney, Kelly Zarcone, told The Associated Press that Trump's accusations "are utterly baseless and ridiculous."
Gugino, she said, "has always been a peaceful protester because he cares about today's society."
"No one from law enforcement has even suggested anything otherwise, so we are at a loss to understand why the president of the United States would make such dark, dangerous, and untrue accusations about him. We can confirm that those accusations are utterly baseless and ridiculous," she said.
The No. 2 Republican in the Senate, John Thune of South Dakota, also criticized Trump's tweet.
"It's a serious accusation, which should only be made with facts and evidence. And I haven't seen any yet," Thune told reporters at the Capitol."
Asked if the president should not be making it, Thune said: "Well, I think that's a given."
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, called Trump's tweet "sick."
"The President continues to use his platform to peddle conspiracy theories, this time about a peaceful protestor and fellow New Yorker. Not sure how this is supposed to bring our country together ..." she tweeted.
