Trump Supporter in ‘Gays for Trump’ T-shirt Receives High-Fives After Putting Protester in Violent Headlock

A Donald Trump supporter wearing a “Gays for Trump” T-shirt got rounds of high-fives after placing a protester in a violent headlock during a North Carolina campaign rally Friday.

The violence erupted after the protester had rushed towards the stage holding an American flag upside down during a rally in Greensboro. Upon spotting the protester, Trump — getting back to his violence-encouraging old ways — repeatedly crowed “Get out!” from the stage.

The “Gays for Trump” vigilante, who also wore a red “Make America Great Again” cap, can then be seen in video rushing towards the protester, pummeling him before locking his head with his left arm.

The violent episode was quickly broken up by officers, who escorted the protester out as rally-goers erupted in “USA! USA! USA!” chants.

After getting pushed away by an officer, the gay-friendly brawler received at least a dozen high-fives from cheering Trump supporters.

Trump, meanwhile, decried the protester for disrespecting the Star Spangled Banner and ignored his violent supporter.

“That’s what’s happening to our country, that’s what’s happening. That is total disrespect for our flag, that’s what’s happening to our country,” the Republican nominee said from the stage.

“We’re going to turn it around, folks. We’re going to turn it around.”

(h/t New York Daily News)

Reality

Protests at Trump rallies do not occur in a vacuum. Since he first announced his candidacy, Trump continues to make racist, sexist, and authoritarian remarks that marginalizes anyone who do not meet his view of white and conservative enough.

While it is true that a few protesters initiated violence at Trump rallies, the vast majority of violence is from Trump supporters. Trump has defended violence against protesters, encouraged violence against protesters, and promised violence on multiple occasions.

It stands to reason that it is Trump’s actions and behavior that creates an environment where violence against protesters is acceptable.

Media

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