The man who was arrested after rushing at Donald Trump during a rally in Ohio this weekend is a former child actor who caused an uproar last year by standing on the American flag in an anti-racism demonstration.
Thomas Dimassimo, 22, got past some guards and rushed the stage in Dayton where Trump stood giving a speech.
Dimassimo was ultimately wrestled down by other security personnel and Trump was safe, but the incident left the Republican presidential frontrunner visibly shaken.
“I was ready for him, but it’s much easier if the cops do it, don’t we agree?” Trump said.
DiMassimo was later charged with inducing panic and disorderly conduct.
He actually alluded to his plans on Twitter prior to the event, saying: “Currently in line for the rally. Currently never been more scared in my life If I can get good thoughts and prayers from my TL (time line) it would be much appreciated. I’m at this you know what rally bout to you know what.”
On Friday he had shared a link about how the Trump rally in St. Louis turned violent, and wrote: “Donal (sic) will answer for this and more tomorrow.”
Dimassimo is a supporter of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, and is also involved with the Black Lives Matter movement that has been behind some of the disruptions at Trump events.
Dimassimo is a fourth-year acting major at Wright State University and has played a number of small roles, appearing in television shows like “Reno 911” and “House of Payne.”
The Dayton Daily News noted that Dimassimo, who is originally from Powder Springs, Georgia, has a history of causing an uproar, such as his actions at an anti-racism protest in April 2015 at the university.
Dimassimo didn’t address that allegation but he did tell a Twitter user who accused him of trying to kill Trump with a knife that he had no weapon on him.
“Go watch the video you can see both of my hands grab the stage try again,” he said. “There were metal detectors smh.”
