Donald Trump has developed a routine of handling hecklers and it was on full display at his campaign rally Monday night.
Within ten minutes of taking the stage at an arena in Lowell, Mass., the Republican presidential front-runner faced three separate interruptions from protesters occupying seats in the crowd.
Each time, the billionaire’s fans would chant “USA, USA,” — per the instruction of Trump’s campaign — until security officers had forcefully removed the culprits from the venue. And after months of dealing with interruptions at his signature “Make America Great Again” rallies,” Trump himself has developed his own drill: give a few waves to the crowd, offer a dose of colorful commentary, then get back to business as usual once security’s done its job.
“Bye-bye, bye-bye,” Trump told the first group of hecklers Monday while smiling from his 360-degree stage. He later joined the crowd’s patriotic “USA” chant.
“We have to, to a certain extent, be ashamed of ourselves because for the last eight years, we should have been doing the same,” he added.
“Oh look,” Trump said, pointing to a straggling protester. “There’s a remnant left over. Maybe get the remnant out.”
The bombastic businessman capitalized on the protests as they continued, using the interruptions to criticize his Democratic opponent, Bernie Sanders. In early August, the Vermont senator gave up his microphone to two female Black Lives Matter activists after they repeatedly interrupted his rally and stormed the stage.
“That scene, when he lost control of his mic, was pathetic,” Trump said.
“Are they friends or foes?” Trump asked the crowd minutes later, after a second group of hecklers forced him to pause his remarks.
“It doesn’t matter,” he conceded. “We’re all friends.”
Hours before Trump arrived in Lowell, Mass., Monday, the Boston Herald warned of mass protests at his event. One local anti-Trump activist told the local news outlet he expected to be joined by “300 to 400 protesters.”
Monday marked the second time Trump has held a rally in the Massachusetts mill town. He is slated to arrive in nearby New Hampshire Tuesday for another evening rally at 7 p.m. ET.
