Trump Denies Epstein Ties During Ohio Rally Protests

President Donald Trump faced interruptions from protesters during a campaign rally in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Wednesday. A political activist and comedian identified as Rob Potylo, also known as Robby Roadsteamer, shouted claims that Trump had traveled on the private plane of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump responded by asserting he had been "totally exonerated" and claimed he expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club roughly 20 to 25 years ago because he viewed the financier as a "whack job." He further characterized Epstein as a Democrat and denied ever traveling with him. However, documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act list Trump as a passenger on Epstein's plane at least eight times between 1993 and 1996.

Security guards and a bystander removed Potylo from the stands as supporters drowned him out with boos and chants of "USA! USA! USA!" Potylo later posted footage of the removal to X, claiming he was singing and urging against political violence. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis defended the president, stating he has cooperated with subpoenas and signed transparency legislation to assist Epstein's victims. Trump dismissed the disruptions by labeling the protesters as "paid protesters" and "losers."