aNewDomain — The man arrested today for attempting to rush billionaire Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on stage is a serial protester, a Wright State University student and an actor, Thomas DiMassimo’s Facebook and Twitter accounts suggest.
Whatever DiMassimo’s motives, the incident couldn’t be better timed for the Trump camp.
Trump has been under fire by his opponents and the media for seeming to incite violence against mostly peaceful protesters at increasingly rowdy campaign rallies.
In recent days, Trump has responded by blaming “dangerous” protesters who “throw punches” for the violence.
Enter Tommy DiMassimo.
DiMassimo, 22, is an actor, according to his posts on Facebook. He appeared most recently in the role of Stanley in a local production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
He also appears to be somewhat of a serial protester.
Posts show he has marched in support of black victims of police violence in Ferguson, MO, and that he frequently circulates petitions for a wide swath of causes.
From DiMassimo’s social accounts, it also appears he supports Democratic primary candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Ever since the incident today, Trump supporters and protesters have been wildly speculating about who DeMassimo is and what his real motives were.
An hour after the arrest, some right-leaning conservative blogs posted stories claiming that DiMassimo is affiliated with ISIS, painting Trump as a would-be victim of international terrorism.
Some Trump opponents on the social nets are on the opposite extreme. Some go so far as to suggest that DiMassimo was an actor the Trump campaign hired to prove Trump’s claims that protesters at his rallies are dangerous.
On DiMassimo’s Facebook account, at least one user has posted the term “sellout” all over various posts in his timeline.
DiMassimo’s Twitter feed reveals he was “scared” as he waited in line to get into the rally — and that he was looking for support just as he was “bout to you know what.”
DiMassimo has been charged with disorderly conduct and inducing panic, according to Montgomery County Jail records.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
On his Twitter account, DiMassimo posted an image and this message to @RealDonaldTrump:
For aNewDomain, I’m Gina Smith.
