President Trump floated a conspiracy theory that an elderly man who was injured during a protest in Buffalo, New York, may have been part of an antifa plot.
Trump on Tuesday referenced a recent report from OANN that claimed that Martin Gugino, the 75-year-old man who bashed his head after being pushed by police, was a member of antifa in Buffalo and may have fallen and smacked his head on a concrete planter on purpose.
“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?” Trump tweeted.
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
Gugino was attending a George Floyd protest in Buffalo when he confronted a line of police marching to clear the area. He stood in front of a trio of officers and was shoved backward by an officer using a baton and his shield. Gugino flailed backward, tripped, and smacked his head on a concrete planter. The incident was caught on film.
Bystanders quickly noted that Gugino was bleeding from his ears and called on police to help him. One officer dipped down to help Gugino but was shoved forward to continue clearing the group. The man is still in the hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.
Gugino’s Twitter account included several anti-police statements that have drawn criticism and skepticism of his motives at the protests.
The two officers involved in shoving Gugino have been arrested and charged with second-degree assault. Dozens of other Buffalo officers resigned from the department following the suspension of the officers involved.
Protesters were gathered in Buffalo and around the country to protest police brutality and racial injustice following Floyd’s death. Floyd died after being arrested by an officer who knelt on his neck for several minutes.
