A protester wearing a "Release the Epstein Files" shirt interrupted President Donald Trump's Youngstown, Ohio, rally Monday, sparking a confrontation in the crowd.
Trump responded by calling the heckler a "paid protester" and alleged that political opponents pay people to disrupt rallies. He also mocked the protester’s appearance and weight
while the person was being removed, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.Trump appeared in Youngstown on Monday to boost Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections, including Ohio Sen. Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Other speakers included Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel in a prerecorded message and social media influencer (and Ohio native) Jake Paul.
Trump calls Youngstown rally hecklers 'paid protesters'
Three hecklers disrupted the rally,
drawing responses from speakers and the crowd.
One interrupted Husted, who responded, "We won't be bullied and humiliated." A second interrupted Trump and called for the release of the Epstein files. A brief confrontation broke out in the crowd before security stepped in. Video shared online appeared to show the person being punched by an attendee.
Trump called the heckler a "paid protester" and said the person should "go on a diet." The crowd responded with chants of "USA." A third heckler displayed a Palestinian flag before being escorted out.
The disruptions became some of the rally's most talked-about moments, drawing as much attention as the candidates on stage.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trump calls out hecklers during Ohio rally with Ramswamy, Husted
