Trump accuses rally protesters of being paid during Syracuse speech

Donald Trump accused protesters at his rallies of being paid political actors after a demonstrator interrupted his October 9 appearance in Syracuse, New York.

Trump said the protesters were financed by political opponents and repeatedly called them losers. RIA Novosti reported the exchange on October 10, and a transcript published by journalist Tommy Christopher reproduced his remarks. The accusation was Trump's claim rather than an established account of how the demonstrators were funded.

The president was in Syracuse to support Bruce Blakeman's campaign for governor. Separately, protesters gathered in Clinton Square near the rally venue. Local outlet Spectrum News reported that organisers objected to the administration's immigration and environmental policies.

Judy Jerome, an organiser with the CNY Solidarity Coalition and Indivisible Onondaga County, told Spectrum that Trump's positions did not represent the values of the local protesters. She said organisers were also encouraging people to vote. The outside demonstration and the interruption inside the president's rally were separate events.