Tweets baseless claim injured Buffalo protester could be an 'ANTIFA provocateur'

Trump tweeted that 75-year-old Martin Gugino, a protester shoved to the pavement by Buffalo police on June 4 and hospitalized with a head injury, loss of consciousness, and bleeding from his ear, "could be an ANTIFA provocateur" who was "appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment." The tweet cited a One America News Network segment that offered no evidence and drew on a right-wing blog. Trump added that Gugino "fell harder than was pushed" and asked "Could be a set up?" Gugino's lawyer said he "has always been a peaceful protestor" and that no law enforcement official had suggested otherwise; critics in both parties characterized the tweet as a baseless conspiracy theory aimed at a hospitalized private citizen.

"Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?" Quote verified against source