On June 5th, a protester was filmed approaching police amid Buffalo protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The man, 75-year-old Martin Gugino, was pushed by an officer, and tumbled backwards onto the floor, heading his head with enough force to leave blood.

A Buffalo Police Department statement immediately released afterward appeared to claim that the man, who was the only known injury, had tripped and fallen:

A 5th person was arrested during a skirmish with other protestors and also charged with disorderly conduct. During that skirmish involving protestors, one person was injured when he tripped & fell.

The two officers involved were subsequently suspended, pending an internal investigation.

The following week, Trump took to Twitter to suggest that the protester, still hospitalized and recovering from his injuries, was an Antifa crisis actor, and that the entire thing “could be a set up.”

The New York Times – Trump Falsely Targets Buffalo Protester, 75, as ‘Antifa Provocateur’
Politico – Trump’s conspiracy theory on 75-year-old protester draws sharp backlash
NBC News – President Donald Trump tweets ‘antifa’ conspiracy theory that originated on anonymous blog
The Hill – Police officers in Buffalo suspended after shoving 75-year-old protester to the ground