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Donald Trump claims protester who rushed stage in Ohio was 'probably an Isis supporter'

Man has been charged with disorderly conduct and inducing panic - but has no links to the terror group

Will Worley,Caroline Mortimer
Saturday 12 March 2016 19:06 GMT
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Trump security rushes to stage during rally

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Donald Trump has claimed an attempt by a protester to rush the stage at a rally in Ohio was "probably Isis-related".

A video caught the moment an audience member tried to breach the security barrier surrounding the presidential frontrunner at the rally in Dayton on Saturday.

The Republican frontrunner was surrounded and manhandled by security but did not leave the stage.

"I was ready for him, but it's much easier if the cops do it, don’t we agree?" Mr Trump said to the crowd.

Thomas Dimassimo was later arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and inducing panic.

"Trump was giving his speech and everyone was into it. And within about a split second somebody from around the bend had jumped over the fence and was charging Donald Trump," eyewitness Chris Famiano told ABC.

Secret Service detain a man during the Dayton rally in Ohio
Secret Service detain a man during the Dayton rally in Ohio (Reuters)

"And before you know it the Secret Service had like four or five guys on him, they wrestled him to the ground."

"They put him in the ties and then they took him away."

Mr Trump later claimed that a video, which had been found by one of his "internet people", showed Dimassimo making "all sorts of gestures" and that he was probably linked to Isis,

The claim has since been ridiculed by experts. According to the Chronicle, Charles Lister, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, said: "This is utterly farcical; the video is incontrovertibly fake and Trump's accusations about it being linked to ISIS serve only to underline the totality of his ignorance on this issue,"

The incident follows a rally in Chicago which was abandoned on Friday night after protests turned violent.

A campaign statement said: "Mr Trump just arrived in Chicago and after meeting with law enforcement has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight's rally will be postponed to another date."

"Thank you very much for your attendance and please go in peace."

Chicago police later denied that the Trump campaign had discussed postponing the event with them.

Five people, including one journalist, were arrested and two police officers were hurt during the disorder.

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