A Canadian woman, Kaitlyn E. Tracey, 33, has been arrested and is in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after allegedly slapping a teenage girl wearing clothing with President Trump's name on it. The incident occurred on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk in New Jersey over the Fourth of July weekend.
According to court documents, Tracey confronted a group of minors on July 3, taking issue with two of the girls wearing sweatpants adorned with the words "Trump" and "ICE" in patriotic colors. Police allege Tracey then struck one of the minors across the face and body. Video surveillance captured the alleged assault, and police identified Tracey, who later turned herself in after an arrest warrant was issued. She faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment, and obstruction.
Tracey had been living in Asbury Park with her husband, Matthew Geroni, after entering the United States with a passport in 2024. Geroni, an American citizen whom Tracey married over three years ago, confirmed her detention by ICE, stating she was taken to the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark. He has shared his wife's story with his social media followers, emphasizing his concern for her well-being.
Geroni claimed the situation was being taken out of context and did not mention the alleged assault in his public statements. He attempted to set up a GoFundMe for Tracey's legal expenses, but it was reportedly removed after being mass-reported by a Facebook group of MAGA supporters. A court date for Tracey is scheduled for August 4.