ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Tensions flared in Allentown this week as a Trump campaign official accused Mayor Matthew Tuerk of attempting to obstruct a planned rally for former President Donald Trump by allegedly pulling permits at the last minute. The incident unfolded just days before Pennsylvania’s high-stakes election, with the Trump campaign publicly denouncing Tuerk’s actions.
According to a statement from the Trump campaign, a staff member confronted Tuerk after learning that permits for the rally, which were reportedly secured earlier, were in jeopardy of being revoked on the day of the event. The campaign alleged that Tuerk, a Democrat, was attempting to hinder the rally by unexpectedly reversing prior agreements regarding venue access and road closures.
“You are out of your [expletive] mind,” the campaign member was quoted as saying, in a heated exchange with Tuerk. “You try to pull some fake [expletive] on the permits. You told us on Saturday it was fine.”
The Trump representative further claimed that Tuerk arrived at the site “in a fresh suit with all your cameras” in an apparent attempt to disrupt the rally and garner attention. The rally, meant to galvanize Trump’s Pennsylvania supporters ahead of the upcoming election, was initially expected to include major road closures around the event location.
Mayor Tuerk’s office stated that his actions were simply, ‘misinterpreted’.