President Trump has never met a conspiracy theory he doesn’t love, and today he claimed, without any facts, the 75-year-old cancer sufferer seen on video getting shoved to the ground by Buffalo police during a protest fell ‘harder than he was pushed’ and had connections to Antifa.
The tweet referenced a report on the right wing One America News Network with close-up, slowed footage of the incident while voice-over from a correspondent touts possible connections to Antifa, a group Trump has said wants to label as domestic terrorist organization.
The report claims that the incident – where 75-year-old protester Martin Gugino was shoved to the ground by police – ‘could be the result of a false flag provocation by far left group Antifa.’
It cites information that appeared on the Conservative Treehouse blog which identifies Gugino as a ‘well-known activist.’
Trump tweeted this morning: ‘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.’
Trump added that he agreed with at least part of what was put forward by the broadcast on a network he regularly touts.
‘I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?’ Trump asked.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ripped Trump today for issuing a ‘reckless, irresponsible, mean, crude if there was ever a reprehensible, dumb comment.’
‘And from the president of the United States at this moment of anguish and anger. He pours gasoline on the fire. If there was ever, if he ever feels a moment of decency, he should apologize fr that tweet,’ Cuomo added.
He called it ‘wholly unacceptable’ and said there was ‘Not a piece of proof. Personally disparaging when the man is still in the hospital. Show some decency, some humanity,’ he continued.
Trump’s tweet – again siding with police after repeatedly calling for ‘law and order’ amid protests over the death of George Floyd – comes despite advisors inside and outside the White House counseling him to address racial discrimination.
The OANN correspondent identifies himself as Kristian Rouz, who has been revealed to simultaneously be working for Kremlin-backed Sputnik news.
Rouz was born in Siberia, graduated from Novosibirsk State University, and moved to the U.S. in 2017.
Gugino remains hospitalized in Buffalo.
Two prominent Republican senators turned down the chance to criticize the president when asked about his tweet.
‘I didn’t see it. You’re telling me about it. I don’t read Twitter. I only write on it, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told CNN.
Added Texas Sen. John Cornyn: ‘You know, a lot of this stuff just goes over my head.’
Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona did weigh in. ‘This was a 75 year-old-man shoved to the ground, left bleeding from a head wound. Trafficking in conspiracy theories like these is beneath your office, Mr President,’ Flake wrote.
‘Most of us up here would rather not be political commentators on the president’s tweets,’ said South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune, a Senate party leader.
Thune added: ‘Its a serious accusation, which should only be made with facts and evidence. And I haven´t seen any yet.’
There are multiple holes in the conspiracy theory.
There have been multiple actual instances of police using force to subdue protesters, which limits the utility of Gugino deliberately falling backward onto his head, putting himself in a situation which could cause brain damage or death.
It cites newly released videos but merely captures days-old videos that have already been published.
The video itself contains no evidence Gugino was somehow capturing information with his cell phone.
It also fails to substantiate the claim that antifa makes use of the tactic or otherwise connect Gugino to antifa, a favorite target of Trump’s.
Gugino has been undergoing chemo treatments for cancer, Vicki Ross of the Western New York Peace Center and Latin American Solidarity Committee told the Associated Press.
His attorney blasted the ‘dangerous’ and ‘untrue’ accusations. against him.
Attorney Kelly Zarcone said today: ‘No one from law enforcement has ever even suggested anything otherwise so we’re at a loss to understand why the president of the United States would make such a dark, dangerous and untrue accusation against him. Martin has always been a peaceful protester because he cares about today’s society.’
Earlier, Zarcone said Gugino was ‘in serious but stable condition.
Martin has acknowledged and sincerely appreciates the tremendous outpouring of support he has received nationwide.
Martin and his family continue to request privacy as they focus on Martin’s health and recovery,’ lawyer Kelly Zarcone said.
Rival former Vice President Joe Biden pounced on Trump for the tweet this afternoon.
‘My Dad used to say there’s no greater sin than the abuse of power. Whether it’s an officer bloodying a peaceful protester or a President defending him with a conspiracy theory he saw on TV. I’m a Catholic – just like Martin,’ Biden said.
‘Our faith says that we can’t accept either,’ he added.