Philadelphia, PA – Demonstrators gathered Tuesday in Philadelphia to protest President Trump’s arrival for a town hall meeting, not an unusual situation for this administration.
But one protestor stood out from the rest by performing an act guaranteed to draw attention: The woman, dressed in a Trump mask, stood in front of some Trump supporters and ran the American flag through her bubble gum pink underwear.
The shocking scene likely was not one envisioned by rally organizer Irina Goldstein, a 2019 Republican candidate for Philadelphia City Council. Goldstein explained to Chris Brennan, political writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer, why she wanted to support President Trump with a demonstration.
Irina Goldstein, a 2019 Republican candidate for Philadelphia City Council, explains why she called a demonstration to support President Donald Trump as he speaks at an @abcnews townhall at the National Constitution Center. pic.twitter.com/NeuyoWLvHv
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
She said:
“I’m here to show support for the counter-voice. The voice not often heard in Philadelphia. The voice of conservatives . . . and to support our President.”
The Daily Caller’s Shelby Talcott was at the scene.
Anti and pro-Trump protests are beginning here in Philly. The protests are not allowed into the park, one officer said. Tons of police surveying the scene pic.twitter.com/Huprnw9N06
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 15, 2020
At first, there is a mixture of protestors and supporters. The police are there, and they are trying to keep conflict between the two groups to a minimum. They are standing in a line behind barricades, watching.
Some of the protestors have signs that read: “Trump Pence Out Now.” A woman is singing in the background. Next to a white tent someone waves the Trump Pence 2020 flag.
A group of ~40 protesters have gathered along Market Street, across Independence Mall from the National Constitution Center, where President Trump is scheduled to participate in a town hall for undecided voters tonight.
“Trump Pence out now.” pic.twitter.com/J386bIU1US
— Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith) September 15, 2020
Heavy police presence as expected. Crowds slowly gathering on both sides of Market as traffic creeps by. pic.twitter.com/uen9g1Dm38
— Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith) September 15, 2020
About 20 Pro-Trump demonstrators interact with a much larger crowd of Trump critics on Independence Mall. pic.twitter.com/bLec23vQ7n
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
Some protestors chant “F*** Donald Trump.” Most of the protestors are wearing masks. The two groups mill about.
Some cars stuck on Market are honking as they pass the protesters. This one rolled down the windows to blast “F*ck Donald Trump.” pic.twitter.com/lxwsXH7UPe
— Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith) September 15, 2020
The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that protesters outnumbered Trump supporters at the scene outside the National Constitution Center.
But then there is that one protestor. The Donald Trump mask she is wearing more closely resembles Sir Richard Branson, the millionaire founder of the Virgin Group, if he were to sport spiky blond hair.
Or maybe it looks like that annoying kid from the “Home Alone” movie.
I digress.
The original report mistook her for wearing a pig mask. She is wearing a blue suit jacket and a red tie. The bright pink panties have a message on the rear: Caution Slippery When Wet.
The underwear looks like chewed-up bubble gum.
This says more about the woman than it does about the pro-Trump protesters. Why would the woman spend the time to dress up and disgrace a US flag? It’s not going to make anyone agree with her, and it makes her look stupid to regular people and (future employers.) It’s stupid.
— JWolf330 (@JWolf330) September 15, 2020
This is who they are.. they’re MENTALITY..there not normal..they don’t look or act like you..there disturbed and they don’t believe in God.
Simple as that. https://t.co/pQWNzxUu2n— Debbie Baylog (@DBaylog) September 17, 2020
Don’t worry about covid here!
Oh by the way I hope she gets a yeast infection considering she’s not wiping from front to back 😂
BLM/Anti-Trump Leftist Runs Flag Thru Her Underwear in Front of Trump Supporters https://t.co/OnZAnrjA4D
— herekittykitty⭐⭐⭐⭐ (@phillyeaglesfa1) September 16, 2020
Three people, two women and one man, are sitting on a granite bench minding their own business. They are dressed casually, with one of the women wearing a Trump ballcap and the other, in a red blazer, waving a small American flag.
The man sits near the end of the bench. A young man stands next to them on the same bench, holding an anti-Trump sign.
They all seemed to share some level of disgust:
Quite disgusting to see this level of denigration of the flag of a sovereign nation.Unfortunately @JoeBiden will never publicly disapprove such unpatriotic actions because that’s what he stands for. It’s #wednesdaymorning and still #DemocratsAreDestroyingAmerica @CivilRightsInt https://t.co/5CueA61QKH
— Imam Of Truth (@TruthImam) September 16, 2020
Well, that’s what you get when you empty all of the mental institutions in America. They now make up a large percentage of the democrat voting block. https://t.co/hWIgQ4kilN
— Mr. Klinton Kildepstein 🇺🇸🇮🇹 (@CarloVKag) September 16, 2020
Do you notice that ALL anti-Trumpers are vile, rude, intimidatory and loud or on megaphones. They’re like children throwing a tantrum in public but there is no parent to discipline them. https://t.co/HfaKYrfypz
— Grey Haired 🇦🇺 ✝ 🦠🧼🛁🚿🚽🧻💉🦠🩺💊🧫🧴🧽🩸 (@GreyHaired07) September 16, 2020
The woman in the Trump mask writhes as she stuffs the American flag into her underwear in front of these folks. She then pulls it out and stuffs it back in and runs it back and forth, front to back, before pulling it out again.
While she makes her message known, a woman in a white USA cap and white t-shirt that says “Pray For 45” steps up and quietly unrolls a sign that says “Keep America Great.”
The woman was slammed on social media for her actions.
This is who they are.. they’re MENTALITY..there not normal..they don’t look or act like you..there disturbed and they don’t believe in God.
Simple as that. https://t.co/pQWNzxUu2n— Debbie Baylog (@DBaylog) September 17, 2020
They want Trump/Pence out so this can be everyday life. I’m serious when I say this. Mental health is a real issue around the world. Those who cheer them on (I don’t care who you vote for) are sick as well. You are laughing at them more than with them. I pray for this person. https://t.co/uJQOAJxxJJ
— We are all Americans (@Bulldog2026) September 16, 2020
Soon, activity picks up at the granite monument where the three Trump supporters are sitting as others realize it’s a vantage point for its height. Men and women holding anti-Trump signs are next to men and women holding Trump 2020 signs.
Competing for the protest high ground, Trump fans and Black Lives Matter activists on Independence Mall. pic.twitter.com/mseKteRe8O
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
Apparently, this is not a battle of politics, but whoever gets to stand on top of the granite monument where the nice people are sitting. The police see it as their cue to separate the sides and preempt any physical clashes.
A woman in a Trump mask stands in front of some pro-Trump protesters and runs the American flag through the inside of her underwear: pic.twitter.com/cpZo5d6uT0
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 15, 2020
The police arrive on their bikes to start separating the two groups.
A line of Philly bike cops have arrived to block between Trump fans and Trump critics. pic.twitter.com/QVp8Ef3kjt
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
An officer in a white polo shirt, a helmet and a black mask identified as Sgt. Bill on his shirt starts to break them up. The protestors boo.
I dunno. I’m team #SgtBill. Anyway, Sgt. Bill, if you’re reading this, you have a fan!
On top of the monument, four people, two pro-Trump and two anti-Trump, stand next to each other, peacefully holding their signs. Neither group tries to push the other off, or yell at the other. They just stand there holding their flags and signs. The three people on the monument bench watch the confusion around them. The woman in the red blazer waves her small American flag in front of her.
Some officers just arrived in an attempt to separate the two groups of protesters. There’s still more and more people arriving pic.twitter.com/X6K7OxkRsn
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 15, 2020
More people arrive. Police are trying to separate the two groups and move the supporters of President Trump behind the police barricade as the protestors take over the granite monument.
The anti-Trump protesters have taken over the pro-Trump location on Independence Mall. pic.twitter.com/5GhI8VgOiP
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
The protestors have taken over the pro-Trump space and start singing and saying “buh-bye.” A woman wearing a Black Lives Matter mask and glasses on her head sings into a bullhorn. At least her singing isn’t too bad. I’ve heard worse . . . like Rosanne Barr singing the National Anthem. This protestor is a little bit better than that.
As more people arrive, police seem to be trying to move the pro-Trump protesters behind a barricade to separate the groups. It’s around 5:15pm here in Philly. pic.twitter.com/Kp1xqdDEUH
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 15, 2020
Talcott, of The Daily Caller, finds her way over to two people having a discussion over the barricade. One is a supporter of President Trump. She is in a white shirt and a red-white-and-blue America hat. The other is a protestor. He wears all black. Their discussion is passionate but civil.
A pro and anti-Trump protester duo are having a spirited but civil disagreement from across the barrier. Some people try to drown them out/interfere, but the anti-Trump protester motions for them to remain quiet. pic.twitter.com/mMFWH2Vg0h
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 15, 2020
There’s a lot of yelling, insults, cursing, some bullhorns and plenty of middle fingers extended. But I’ve seen a couple of conversations/debates that looked polite and engaging. pic.twitter.com/wZhZak2iPM
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
Oksana Stenyk of Levittown had a long exchange of views with anti-Trump protestors on immigration. The Ukrainian immigrant became a citizen after the 2016 election and didn’t initially like Trump. “What made me switch was the Democratic Party,” she said. pic.twitter.com/afAxNfmWX7
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
The Pro-Trump folks have gone behind the barricade. The police form a line to protect them.
Eddie from Bucks County didn’t want to give his last name but he was eager to sell $5 Trump t-shirts. “I thought there would be a lot of Trump supporters here. But I guess not in a Democratic city.” pic.twitter.com/YjFd6LtZpd
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
“Eddie,” who declined to give his last name, is selling Trump shirts for $5 each. Hey, I can totally support an entrepreneur.
A small band of pro-Trump demonstrators have retreated behind metal barricades and a line of Philly police officers on Independence Mall as hundreds of anti-Trump protesters mock them. pic.twitter.com/MT6dvPrXVY
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
More people show up. You can hear these vile protestors attacking the police saying: “Typical Pig defending [unintelligible].”
More people continue to arrive, it’s a little after 6pm in PA: pic.twitter.com/B8PYASf0rs
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) September 15, 2020
A standoff. Both sides exchanging the opposite of pleasantries. Trump fans penned in, metal barricade to the north, line of Philly bike cops to the south. pic.twitter.com/dI8az5Loz5
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
But then we see the Trump supporters.
Jasmine Rochon of Bucks County immigrated from Malaysia and became a US citizen in 2018. Of the anti-Trump protesters, she said, “If they’re peaceful, I’m all for it. Everyone has the right.” She is excited that her first presidential vote will be for Trump. pic.twitter.com/sPCk5Ltu3S
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
As Trump boards Air Force One the Trump supporters go wild. Of course, the protestors have to try to outshout them.
As Trump boards Air Force One at the Philly airport competing chants break out at Independence Mall. pic.twitter.com/p7KDcuFY2b
— Chris Brennan (@ByChrisBrennan) September 15, 2020
The stark contrast between Trump supporters and protestors is revealing. I’m sure the mother of the girl wearing the Trump mask and flossing her butt with the American flag is so proud.
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