Donald Trump’s campaign manager said Sunday that the protester who caused a security scare at a Nevada rally, prompting Secret Service to rush the Republican presidential nominee from the stage, was a pro-Hilary Clinton plant.
Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said the stunt and the mainstream media reaction demonstrated the increasing desperation of Mrs. Clinton, the Democrat nominee.
“People are trying to spin it that this is the kind of action you get at your rallies,” she said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” “It’s a microcosmic example of how desperate they are becoming. We’re scrambling the electoral map. We’re playing follow the leader with us in the lead.”
She was referring to how Mrs. Clinton and her surrogates have been campaigning in traditionally blue states that Mr. Trump has targeted for a flip at the polls Tuesday.
The protester, Austyn Crites, 33, was quickly ushered out of the rally by Secret Service after people in the crowd shouted out that he had a gun. He was later released.
Mr. Crites later told reporters that he is a Republican and was trying to hold up a sign that read “Republicans against Trump.” He claimed in a BBC interview that people in the crowd accosted him and he was “saved” by the Secret Service.
Mr. Crites has been a registered Republican since 2011. His Facebook page declared his support for Mrs. Clinton and stated that Mr. Trump is a “fascist.”
Mrs. Conway said Mr. Trump’s reaction to the security scare is a testament to his character.
“Obviously, he could have left. Everyone would have understood,” said Mrs. Conway. “But that’s Donald Trump. He wanted to come right back to the stage once he was told it was safe to do so.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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