Man Attempts to Storm Press Pen at Rally as Trump Says, ‘He’s on Our Side’

Taurean Small/X

An unidentified man attempted to access the press pen at a rally held by former President Donald Trump on Friday.

Speaking in Johnstown, Trump attacked CNN, proposed a law banning flag burning, and said everything that Vice President Kamala Harris touches “has turned to shit.”

During the speech, the man attempted to ascend to the press pen, which rose several feet above the floor. CBS News political campaign reporter Taurean Small captured the moment on video.

Video of the incident. Security in the press pen grabbed him first before he was taken down by law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/Xdw1CZ9dE0

— Taurean Small (@taureansmall) August 30, 2024

“Video of the incident,” he tweeted. “Security in the press pen grabbed him first before he was taken down by law enforcement.”

As small recorded, Trump could be heard in the background continuing to deliver his remarks before realizing something was happening in the audience.

Journalist Timothy Burke posted a YouTube video of Trump speaking, juxtaposed with footage of the man being wrestled to the ground by police.

“That’s ok,” Trump said. “No, he’s on our side. We get a little, uh, itchy, don’t we? Huh, ok. No, no. He’s on our side.”

The Associated Press reported that police tased the man.

“Is there anywhere that’s more fun than a Trump rally?” Trump said as the crowd cheered while the man was taken away.

“Moments later police handcuffed another man in the crowd and led him out of the arena, though it wasn’t clear if that detention was related to the initial altercation,” the AP added.

NewsNation producer Kristen Eskow caught a slightly different view of the incident.

At Trump rally in Johnstown, PA: Someone in the audience jumped over the barricade to the press pen and latched onto the riser where the TV cameras are. The man was taken down and taken away by police. pic.twitter.com/eW2YMUW5g8

— Kristen Eskow (@KristenEskow) August 30, 2024

Trump has long criticized the media as “fake news” and “the enemy of the people.” As usual, he criticized the press during Friday’s rally.

In 2019, a Trump supporter who mailed pipe bombs to CNN and critics of Trump was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

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