The man who rushed the stage at Donald Trump’s rally in Dayton Saturday had “pre-planned” his action with no intention of hurting anyone, according to a report.
After being booked, Thomas DiMassimo told police he had intended to run up on the stage and shout in to the microphone, “Donald Trump is a racist,” according to a police report obtained by the Dayton Daily News.
The 22-year-old told police “he gave his keys to his girlfriend to take his car home before the rally.”
DiMassimo was charged with misdemeanour inducing panic and disorderly conduct. He was released on bail.
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Last April, DiMassimo helped lead a group of students at Wright State University in an anti-racism protest. The group stood on American flags and held signs which read “Not my flag”, according to the Dayton Daily News.
On Saturday, DiMassimo jumped over railings and pushed past a pair of security officers before being gang tackled a few steps from the stage where Trump was speaking.
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Trump stopped speaking for about 30 seconds as U.S. Secret Service agents surrounded him until the man was led away.
“I was ready for him, but it’s much easier if the cops do it, don’t we agree?” Trump said at the time.
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