Trump Claims Paid Protesters Disrupted Texas Rally
Former President Donald Trump told supporters in San Antonio that protesters interrupting his speech were paid to spread a left-wing agenda.
During a rally in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump addressed multiple instances of protesters interrupting his speech, asserting that they were paid operatives aiming to advance a left-wing agenda.
"Many of these protesters are paid – you know that, right?" Trump told the crowd gathered at the Freeman Coliseum. He suggested the protesters had identical, expensive signs, indicating they were not independently created. "These are paid protesters," Trump claimed. "They're paid by enemies of our nation. No, I'm telling you, they pay them for this."
The rally was held to support Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton. As the crowd chanted "USA" to drown out the interruptions, Trump added, "If there are any more paid protesters, please raise your hand and get the hell out of here."
Trump urged his base to be motivated to vote in the midterm elections, stating that the ability to pass his agenda in Congress depends on Republicans retaining control. "We will not allow our country, our culture, our history and our heritage to be looted and plundered anymore," he declared.
He also criticized the Biden administration, suggesting that a loss for his ideology would mean the end of the country. "What they did to this country," Trump said, referring to former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, "I said the other day, if Kamala won – or if that ideology won, forget about Kamala – if that ideology won, I don't believe we'd have a country anymore."
The contest for the Texas Senate seat between Paxton and Democrat James Talarico was highlighted by Trump as a critical race. "I will not let my legacy of having the highest vote in the history of Texas be tarnished or destroyed by allowing that travesty to happen again," he stated.
Trump specifically addressed the potential consequences if Democrats win, saying, "If they get in, they will open your borders and let the entire world pour into our country like they did before. And we can't let that happen. We're not going to let it happen again."
At least a dozen demonstrators interrupted the event. Trump made remarks about the appearance of one protester, stating, "You know, I never talk about looks of a person, but those are really bad-looking people." He also quipped about a protester returning home to their mother, suggesting the mother was a Trump supporter.
This was Trump's third visit to Texas in less than a month, as Republicans aim to counter Democratic gains in the state.