Mystery Firefighters at Trump Rally: Scranton Fire Department Denies Endorsement
SOURCE: MEGA
At a campaign rally in Scranton this week, supporters of former President Donald Trump held up signs reading “Scranton Firefighters for Trump.” Among them were two men dressed in formal firefighter uniforms, posing as representatives of the local fire department. However, according to the Scranton Fire Department’s union, these individuals were not their own.
Photos captured by The Times-Tribune at the rally showed several attendees waving these signs. However, the Scranton Fire Department firefighters’ union, Local 60, quickly issued a statement on Facebook clarifying the situation. “This is not a political post, rather a clarification post for anyone who sees or may see the event,” the union emphasized.
The post continued, “Multiple CITIZENS were seen with ‘Scranton Firefighters for Trump’ signs at today’s rally. It is noted that no member of Local 60 was carrying those signs as the [International Association of Fire Fighters] (IAFF) has chosen not to endorse a candidate this election.” The union further stressed its commitment to respecting all political views while affirming that they have not endorsed any presidential candidate, staying in line with the IAFF’s neutral stance.
Local 60 President Allen Lucas spoke with The Times-Tribune, explaining that none of the individuals holding the signs were current or former Scranton firefighters. “We don’t know where those signs came from,” he stated, confirming that the union had no involvement in the display.
Even the Trump campaign distanced itself from the signs. Campaign spokesman Kush Desai told the newspaper, “Those ‘Firefighters for Trump’ signs were not something that the campaign made or handed out.” This left the origin of the signs a mystery.
During the rally, Trump praised the supposed support, describing the individuals as “a very good-looking group of human beings.” However, the lack of confirmation from the actual firefighters’ union raises questions about the authenticity of the display.
This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier in Michigan. At another rally featuring Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), attendees held signs proclaiming support from “Autoworkers for Donald Trump.” A report later revealed that at least two of those individuals were not auto workers.
As the campaign season heats up, the authenticity of endorsements and support at rallies is coming under scrutiny. The Scranton firefighters’ union remains clear: the signs at Trump’s rally do not reflect their official stance, and the individuals holding them were not part of their department. With these incidents surfacing, the line between genuine grassroots support and campaign theatrics appears increasingly blurred.
