Free Republic

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended President Trump’s tweet that falsely accused a 75-year-old anti-racism protester who was shoved to the ground by police of being an “ANTIFA provocateur.” The president’s tweet appeared to reference a segment that aired on OANN, a right-wing network that routinely disseminates conspiracy theories. “They’re questions that need to be asked,” McEnany said of Trump’s tweet, which offered zero evidence to back up his claim. She accused the protester, longtime peace activist Martin Gugino, of having posted “some very questionable” and “profanity-laden” tweets about police. As of Wednesday, Gugino’s tweets are only viewable to...

Commentators reacted with shock and disgust to President Donald Trump’s conspiracy theory that a 75-year-old man who was attacked and hospitalized by police last week “could be an ANTIFA provocateur.” Two Buffalo police officers were charged with felony assault for shoving longtime activist Martin Gugino to the ground outside City Hall, resulting in Gugino hitting his head and bleeding from his ear. Gugino remains hospitalized, in “serious but stable” condition, according to his lawyer. Donald J. Trump Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police...

President Trump said Tuesday that the elderly man caught in a viral video being pushed to the ground by Buffalo cops “could be an ANTIFA provocateur,” suggesting the incident was a “set up” by the band of far-left militants. “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,” the president said in a tweet. “I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?” Trump added.