Police use Taser to subdue man who stormed media area of Trump rally in Pennsylvania

JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania — A man at Donald Trumps meeting in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, stormed the press room as the former president spoke On Friday he was surrounded by police and sheriff’s deputies and eventually subdued with a taser.

The altercation came moments after Trump criticized major media outlets for what he called unfavorable coverage and dismissed CNN as sycophantic over Thursday’s interview with his Democratic rival. Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz.

According to a video of the incident, the man climbed over a bike rack surrounding the media area and began climbing around the back of a platform where television reporters and cameras were stationed. posted on social media by a CBS News reporter. People nearby tried to pull him off the platform and were quickly assisted by police officers.

The crowd cheered as a group of police officers led the man away, prompting Trump to declare, “Is there any place more fun than a Trump rally?”

Moments later, police handcuffed another man in the crowd and led him out of the arena, but it is unclear whether this arrest was related to the earlier scuffle.

The incident happened amid increased control of security at Trump rallies after gunman shot at him, his ear, during an outdoor rally in nearby Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events is noticeably tight tighter since the shooting.

It was unclear what motivated the man or whether he was a Trump supporter or critic. Harsh criticism of the media is a standard part of Trump’s speeches, prompting his supporters to turn to the press corps and boo, often while flipping the middle finger to show their distaste for journalists.