Man who charged stage at Trump rally ‘pre-planned’ his protest

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.”

1:41 Alternate angle of secret service agents tackling man who rushed Trump’s stage

• Alternate angle of secret service agents tackling man who rushed Trump’s stage
• Four Secret Service agents rush to surrounded Donald Trump at Ohio rally
• Trump says his supporters would get ‘the electric chair’ if they protested Bernie, Clinton rallies
• Trump says that protest at Chicago Rally was a ‘planned attack’
• Trump says some Chicago rally protesters represented Bernie Sanders

Previous Video

Next Video

DiMassimo was charged with misdemeanour inducing panic and disorderly conduct. He was released on bail.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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.

READ MORE: ‘Slugging it out at a campaign rally’: Chaos now expected at Trump events

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.