Fake Firefighters and Union Workers: Trump's Latest Rally Stunt Exposed

In yet another display of deception, Donald Trump’s recent rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, featured supposed "firefighters" who were anything but. As uncovered by The Times-Tribune, the individuals behind Trump at the event, holding signs that read “Scranton Firefighters for Trump,” were not actually firefighters, much like the faux “auto workers” who stood behind JD Vance at a rally in Detroit recently.

During the Scranton rally, Trump praised the fake firefighters, claiming their support, while the crowd cheered on. Some of the fake firefighters even dressed up as law enforcement. Yet, shortly after the event, the Scranton Fire Department union, Local 60, swiftly distanced itself from the spectacle. In an official statement, the union confirmed that none of its members were involved in the rally, nor had they endorsed any candidate for president. Union president Allen Lucas further clarified that none of the individuals seen in photos from the rally were active or retired Scranton firefighters.

This is just the latest in a series of staged appearances at MAGA events. A similar situation unfolded at JD Vance’s Detroit rally, where individuals posing as “auto workers for Trump” were exposed as not being auto workers at all, as reported by The Detroit News. Trump’s campaign has continuously relied staged optics and misleading representation rather than genuine support.

The strategy of deception extends beyond fake endorsements. Trump’s rallies often feature fabricated narratives, such as his false claims of union endorsements and his attacks on overtime pay—policies that real union workers would typically oppose. Yet, the staged supporters behind him applaud, creating the illusion of agreement. This type of manipulation is a hallmark of Trump’s tactics, from filling Black churches with white Trump supporters to fabricating union support at non-union venues.