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US President Donald Trump is promoting a conspiracy theory that ANTIFA has set up the police assault on an elderly man, which left him lying motionless as blood pooled on the sidewalk with the officers walking away.
In a tweet on Tuesday, the president pointed the finger at the anti-fascist group, citing his favorite right-wing One America News Network (OANN) after the tragic footage appeared of the 75-year-old man in Buffalo, New York.
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
“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,” Trump said. “I watched, he fell harder than was pushed… Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?”
Trump’s tweet drew backlash from officials and activists amid nationwide protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
“There is no room for your hate and division here @realdonaldTrump We are a community looking to heal. Your words only week to tear us apart,” Buffalo Representative Brian Higgins said.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also called on the president to apologize for the “reprehensible” and “dumb” comments.
“He should apologize for that tweet,” he said at a news conference.
The two Buffalo police officers that shoved Gugino have been charged with assault.
