Trump blames dead microphone at Pennsylvania rally on ‘Crooked Hillary’
‘You know who that was? Crooked Hillary,’ president says of his 2016 opponent
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump was mid-rant in Erie when his microphone cut out, sending him wandering around the stage with nothing but a murmuring crowd audible and a quiet Pennsylvania nighttime countryside in sight as he chastised his staff.
“Mic. Mic. Mic,” the president appeared to say, looking down offstage at nearby aides and technicians. He blew on his lectern-mounted mic and nothing happened.
Mr Trump looked down again. Nothing.
He tapped the microphone, causing its long, “goose" neck to shake a bit.
Still nothing.
As the crowd booed and cheered, seemingly unsure how the president they so adore – minutes earlier, they had, indirectly prompted by him, chanting “We love you!” – wanted them to react, Mr Trump strolled around the stage with his hands out to his sides.
The president slowly approached the microphone to find it working again as his loyalists let out a loud cheer. He informed them he did not suspect general election foe Joe Biden had the audio system temporarily taken offline.
"I wonder who did that to our mic? I don't believe it was Joe,” he said with a chuckle.
After an audience member appeared to shout something that conjured a presidential chuckle, Mr Trump said: “You know who that was? Crooked Hillary [Clinton]."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments