Former U.S. president Donald Trump claimed in a 15 August post on his social-media platform Truth Social that the Democratic Party is "buying protestors" to oppose what he described as his crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C. He asserted that the protesters "support crime" and branded Democrats "unelectable." Trump did not present evidence for the allegation, and leading Democratic officials have not responded publicly. The former president’s statement comes as partisan debates over crime policy and public safety continue to feature prominently in the 2026 election cycle.
TRUMP: It’s just been found that the Democrats are buying protestors in order to fight my attack on crime. These are criminals who support crime. They are unelectable!
Is it breaking news that Democrats buy protestors? https://t.co/JD1TJUC2nm
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Democrats are "buying protestors" to oppose President Trump's Washington DC crime crackdown, President Trump reveals. That's because videos are emerging of actual DC residents saying they now feel safer - and Dems are losing the narrative. "These are criminals who https://t.co/kjbUvH8M37