At a recent Trump rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Democratic Mayor Matt Tuerk found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with a Trump campaign worker, igniting a stir on social media.
As reported by The Daily Caller, the rally, hosted at the PPL Center, was located near the Lehigh County Governing Center, where a handful of voters had arrived to collect absentee ballot applications. Tensions rose when the Trump campaign worker accused Tuerk of interfering with the rally’s logistics.
Caught on camera, the fiery exchange centered around the placement and movement of barricades intended to block traffic near the rally site.
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The Trump staffer alleged that Tuerk had caused traffic chaos by removing barricades without warning, which, in turn, had him scrambling to reset them while dodging cars.
“You said it three times, and then all of a sudden you let the traffic come through and I’m trying to put out barricades while dodging cars at the same time,” the campaign worker asserted. He didn’t hold back, pressing Tuerk on his reasoning behind the risky maneuver.
Tuerk attempted to downplay the incident, claiming he wanted to avoid potential hazards and that he didn’t want him to get hurt, seemingly in an attempt to de-escalate.
But the Trump employee wasn’t buying it. He fired back, “We got cars coming in from all four intersections while I’m in the middle of it!”
NEW: Trump campaign member eviscerates Allentown, PA Mayor Matthew Tuerk, who was apparently trying to pull permits ahead of Trump’s rally.
Tuerk is accused of trying to “show how big & strong” he was by obstructing Trump’s Allentown rally.
“You are out of your f*cking… pic.twitter.com/KRBROjpD8b
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 30, 2024
Tuerk’s comments drew swift criticism from Trump’s national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, who accused the Allentown mayor of “trying to disrupt the buildout” of the rally, even though Trump’s team had obtained proper permits and city-approved road closures.
Leavitt praised local law enforcement for keeping the event on track despite Tuerk’s alleged antics.
The incident followed Tuerk’s post, where he labeled Trump an “unwelcome guest” in Allentown.
Hey Allentown!
Looking for something to do on Tuesday while we have an unwelcome guest?
I hear DC is beautiful this time of year.
Anyone want to go hear the next president of the united states make her closing argument to the American people?https://t.co/DJsSdVVFAr
— Mayor Matt Tuerk (@matthewtuerk) October 27, 2024
In an interview, he even went as far as to blame Trump for a comedian’s Puerto Rican joke—a blatant attempt to smear him while rallying support for a counter-event led by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Mayor of Allentown, PA, @matthewtuerk and PA GOP Chair, Joe Vichot joins @SandraSmithFox to discuss Former President Donald Trump’s rally in Allentown, PA.#AmericaReports pic.twitter.com/C3PbNghQpW
— America Reports (@AmericaRpts) October 29, 2024
The rally, however, proceeded without further disruption, with Trump delivering a spirited speech targeting President Joe Biden’s recent “garbage” comment about his supporters—a remark that Trump compared to Hillary Clinton’s notorious “basket of deplorables” insult.
Obama called us clingers.
Hillary called us deplorables.
Kamala calls us fascists.
And Biden just called us garbage.They don’t respect us & don’t want unity.
But we do.
We want to Make America Great Again.
Our coalition is for ALL AMERICANS.
And in 7 days, we will UNITE… pic.twitter.com/WYZePbYOyK— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) October 30, 2024
Meanwhile, polling shows Trump with a slight edge over Harris in Pennsylvania, leading by 0.6% in recent averages. His position remains strong, with leads or ties in four of the last five statewide polls, even with independent candidates in the mix.
Following the exchange, Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign official, voiced his support for the embattled campaign worker, posting on social media, “I’m going to give this kid a raise.”
I’m going to give this kid a raise …. https://t.co/C8LJ0WxRaQ
— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) October 30, 2024
The message resonated with Trump’s base, framing the exchange as another chapter in the battle between the former president and his critics.
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Looks like your typical democratic WESSEL