A protester wearing a shirt reading "Release the Epstein Files" was punched in the face by a rallygoer at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday, October 12, 2026 — an incident that drew national attention the following day.
Videos from the Covelli Center show nearby rallygoers grabbing the woman after she stood up and began shouting. A man in a black polo shirt pulled her to the ground by the hair and punched her face at least once, still holding a handful of hair as he struck, according to the footage. Police then intervened and escorted the protester out of the stands. She was seen giving the crowd the middle finger as she was removed, to boos and chants of "USA."
Trump's response
Trump responded from the stage, calling the protester a "paid protester" who wants to "destroy the country" and calling her "scum." He then commented on her appearance, saying she should "go on a diet." The woman's identity has not been publicly reported.
Two other protesters were also escorted from the rally — one who interrupted a speech by U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (who replied, "We won't be bullied and humiliated") and one who stood with a Palestinian flag. Peaceful demonstrations also took place outside the venue.
The rally
Trump appeared with Ohio Republicans to rally support ahead of the midterm elections. Speakers included gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy — who said he would be Ohio's most conservative governor — Sen. Bernie Moreno, social media influencer Jake Paul, and Ohio Republican Party Chair Alex Triantafilou. Trump repeatedly called Ohio Democratic candidates communists and Marxists, while the crowd chanted for the deportation of Somali-born Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Sources:
- Man punches Youngstown protester, Trump calls the demonstrator 'scum' — Akron Beacon Journal
- Trump calls out hecklers during Ohio rally with Ramaswamy, Husted — Cincinnati Enquirer
Videos from the Covelli Center show nearby rallygoers grabbing the woman after she stood up and began shouting. A man in a black polo shirt pulled her to the ground by the hair and punched her face at least once, still holding a handful of hair as he struck, according to the footage. Police then intervened and escorted the protester out of the stands. She was seen giving the crowd the middle finger as she was removed, to boos and chants of "USA."
Trump's response
Trump responded from the stage, calling the protester a "paid protester" who wants to "destroy the country" and calling her "scum." He then commented on her appearance, saying she should "go on a diet." The woman's identity has not been publicly reported.
Two other protesters were also escorted from the rally — one who interrupted a speech by U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (who replied, "We won't be bullied and humiliated") and one who stood with a Palestinian flag. Peaceful demonstrations also took place outside the venue.
The rally
Trump appeared with Ohio Republicans to rally support ahead of the midterm elections. Speakers included gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy — who said he would be Ohio's most conservative governor — Sen. Bernie Moreno, social media influencer Jake Paul, and Ohio Republican Party Chair Alex Triantafilou. Trump repeatedly called Ohio Democratic candidates communists and Marxists, while the crowd chanted for the deportation of Somali-born Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Sources:
- Man punches Youngstown protester, Trump calls the demonstrator 'scum' — Akron Beacon Journal
- Trump calls out hecklers during Ohio rally with Ramaswamy, Husted — Cincinnati Enquirer
