Attempts to disrupt anti-ICE protests are not unheard of, and there have been several incidents over the past few months. In most cases, the disruptors do not win over the crowd. One such incident took place at the Utah State Capitol when a right-wing protester showed up at an anti‑ICE demonstration. For reasons that were not clear, he chose to stand on the steps and repeatedly shout something about “America.” What followed was even stranger. He removed his t‑shirt and began flexing his muscles as the protesters looked on. “Welcome to America,” he yelled. A camera then showed the size of the crowd gathered in front of the steps.
While the Utah man was likely still flexing, the protesters chanted, “We want power.” The video didn’t show what happened immediately after, but it eventually cut to him being escorted off the steps by a man. Despite his attempts to provoke the crowd, the protesters continued shouting “Viva la vida.” A few did respond, including one person who yelled, “[expletive] you nazi.”
As he was leaving, the escorting protester shoved him twice, prompting him to warn, “Don’t touch me again.” Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, members of the crowd repeatedly called out “Shame.” The footage then showed him jogging away while police separated him from the protesters. The scene became even stranger when he appeared wearing a hard hat by the end of the video, which had not been on his head at the start.
People Reacting to the Unhinged Utah Man’s Behavior
No one enjoyed what the Utah man was trying to do at the protest against ICE. This was why internet users dragged him in the comments. “Imagine being so submissive to the government and believing you are peak masculinity lol,” one person wrote. Another person said, “I bet he’s not going to shut up about how he just owned a ton of libs for the next few months.” Dozens of comments also made sure to mock his appearance as someone questioned, “skinny jeans? Tucked into cowboy boots? Long sleeve shirt under a short sleeve shirt? Hard hat? What [expletive] demographic is this guy?” This made another person reply, “Repressed homosexual. Pretty standard. Sad really.” The majority of comments were also ones that claimed that the man was gay, as if this was something that makes him look bad.
The Utah man’s actions drew a range of reactions online. One commenter suggested the outcome might have been very different if he hadn’t been right‑wing, writing, “Well if he had a cell phone in his hand it apparently would be justified to beat him in the head with a mag light then shoot him 10 times and label him a terrorist.”
Others defended him, arguing the police were ensuring his safety. “The cops are there to protect the capital and maintain peace. The crowd was already starting to be violent toward him. Of course they would let him leave in a way to ensure his safety as he didn’t do anything illegal,” one person wrote. Another took a more mocking stance, commenting, “Probably sat in his truck afterwards and cried because nobody wanted to fight him.”
