Trump mocks heckler punched at Ohio rally

President Trump ridiculed a woman who protested his speech Monday at a political rally in Youngstown, Ohio, after the heckler was physically assaulted by a crowd member.

The woman, who was wearing a “Release the Epstein Files” shirt, was punched in the face by a crowd member at the event while rallygoers cheered on the assault with chants of “USA.”

Police later intervened and removed her from the venue, while the man who punched her remained inside and exchanged high-fives with other attendees, according to Fox News.

Trump, who had been criticizing Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown (D) before the altercation broke out, suggested the heckler was a “paid protester.”

“They’re all paid,” the president said. “They get paid by the lefties in order to destroy our country. They’re scum. But he’s going back home to mom.”

He also mocked the woman as she was being pulled out of the venue by police, calling her a “fat guy” and saying she “needs to go on a diet.”

During a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, several protesters were escorted out of the event after disrupting the president’s speech. One crowd member pulled the hair of a man who heckled Trump while the crowd chanted “USA.”

“If there are any more paid protesters, please raise your hand and get the hell out of here,” Trump said at the Texas event.

The president has faced mounting backlash over his administration’s handling of the release of documents related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and rising costs amid the ongoing Iran war.

Several Republican candidates running in battleground states this election cycle have attempted to distance themselves from the Trump brand as the commander in chief faces sinking approval ratings ahead of the November elections.