Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘Very aggressive sucker’: Trump gets distracted by fly during campaign rally – then compares it to himself

It marks the second time in a just over week that Trump has become frustrated with a fly while on stage at a campaign rally

James Liddell
Monday 07 October 2024 10:04 EDT
Comments
Trump gets distracted by fly during campaign rally, then compares himself to one

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.

In a bizarre moment at his campaign rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, Donald Trump became distracted by a fly and devolved into a 30-second monologue where he ultimately compared the “aggressive sucker” to himself.

After berating his own campaign for being “so stupid” to show the “wrong picture” of the crowd at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally the day before and once again telling his supporters that he “hated to pay overtime,” the former president turned his attention to the climate.

Trump was in the middle of advocating for the use of fossil fuels over wind power – seemingly at odds with the Biden Administration‘s ambitious 2050 national net-zero emissions target – when his train of thought appeared to be derailed by a fly.

“I don’t like flies. Get out of here, fly,” Trump said on Sunday, flailing his arms and shooing the insect away from his face.

“Never been a big fan of flies. You don’t mind my bringing that up, do you?” he asked the crowd in Juneau.

Trump then went on to draw an unlikely parallel between himself and the winged insect on stage.

Trump tries to swat away a fly while making an address at a Juneau, Wisconsin, rally on Sunday
Trump tries to swat away a fly while making an address at a Juneau, Wisconsin, rally on Sunday (RSBN/X)

“Anyway, this is a very aggressive sucker. This one in particular is very aggressive. Like I’m going to be aggressive for our country,” he said as the crowd erupted into cheers.

The internet was quick to react to the Republican presidential candidate’s bizarre outburst.

“Trump can’t stay on track and gets very distracted from his dark, bizarre, lie-filled speech by a fly,” American Bridge 21st Century, which describes itself as a Republican accountability group, posted.

Meanwhile, former attorney and editor-in-chief for MeidasTouch Ron Filipkowski, rebuked: “Sounds like a guy wandering around a garden at the Assisted Living Facility.”

Trump holds a rally in Juneau, Wisconsin, on Sunday following his return to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. During the rally he got distracted by a fly
Trump holds a rally in Juneau, Wisconsin, on Sunday following his return to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. During the rally he got distracted by a fly (Getty Images)

It marks the second time in a just over week that Trump has become frustrated with a fly while on the campaign trail.

On September 28, the former president appeared on stage in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, when he again appeared to get distracted by a flying insect.

“Oh there’s a fly,” he noted. “I wonder where the fly came from?”

“Kamala,” a rallygoer quipped.

Trump continued: “See, two years ago, I wouldn’t have had a fly up here. You’re changing rapidly. We can’t take it any longer.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in