Staff Reports
A crazed individual who attempted to disrupt a Trump rally is now facing charges, much to the relief of the former president and his family. Stephen A. Weiss, a 36-year-old from Pittsburgh, decided to make his anti-Trump sentiments known in the most dramatic way possible: by jumping onto the media stage during a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Perhaps Weiss thought that making a scene would help him snag a few seconds of fame, but all he managed to secure was a one-way ticket to the local police station.
According to the arrest affidavit, Weiss charged onto the arena floor and leapt onto the media stage, yelling obscenities at Trump while he spoke. This bizarre outburst drew the eyes of many, including members of the press. It was a classic case of “look at me,” but the only one Weiss ultimately impressed was the local police, who had to intervene. While the Trump campaign’s senior adviser did confirm that Weiss was hostile towards the former president, some in the media initially misrepresented this circus act as that of a disgruntled supporter. It’s almost like they were trying to spin a reckless narrative while ignoring the facts.
Video of the incident. Security in the press pen grabbed him first before he was taken down by law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/Xdw1CZ9dE0
— Taurean Small (@taureansmall) August 30, 2024
There’s always at least one in every crowd. The suspect even brought a banner to express his dissent, but it wasn’t a banner promoting peace and love; it was more of a “this is my chance to disrupt something” kind of deal. To add to his antics, Weiss faked an injury and hid a bottle of glue in a metal crutch, perhaps thinking he was auditioning for a clown role. It seems he believed that the chaos he created would draw attention to himself, but it only highlighted his lack of common sense.
After the showdown, Weiss was escorted away from the rally, charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. It’s hard to believe that just weeks earlier, Trump survived an assassination attempt less than 75 miles away, making this over-the-top performance even more concerning. Those who cross the line of civility like Weiss are becoming more prevalent, and it raises serious questions about safety at these events which many blame on a media landscape that has vilified Trump and his supporters.
While the FBI continues their investigation into the motive behind the earlier assassination attempt, Weiss is left to face the legal consequences of his reckless behavior. Despite the disruptions and threats, Trump remains undeterred, vowing to return to Butler in October. In the world of Trump rallies, it seems the only thing more predictable than his crowd-pleasing speeches is the antics of those who can’t handle hearing what he has to say.
