Trump rally speaker encourages supporters to ‘hug it out’ and create ‘mass spreader’ coronavirus event

A speaker at a pro-Trump rally has encouraged hundreds to “hug it out” in an attempt to create a superspreader coronavirus event.

A speaker at a pro-Trump rally has encouraged hundreds of the departing President’s supporters to “hug it out” at the packed event, in an attempt to trigger a superspreader coronavirus situation.

“Turn to the person next to you and give them a hug, someone you don’t know, go hug somebody,” the speaker told the rally in Washington D.C.

“Go ahead and spread it out, mass spreader.”

The man went on to chant “it’s a mass spreader event” before inviting supporters, who all appeared to be maskless, to hug him too.

“I’m married but if you want to give me a hug too you can do that,” he said.

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Pro-Trump rally speaker in D.C. tells attendees to hug while yelling “mass spreader event” repeatedly. pic.twitter.com/6ZVJgP3VnT

— The Recount (@therecount) January 5, 2021

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Hundreds of Mr Trump’s supporters gathered near the White House, in Freedom Plaza, in preparation for what the President promised would be a “wild” protest the following day.

Convinced by Mr Trump’s allegations that mass fraud tarnished the vote, many were hoping for a last-minute surprise that would keep him in power beyond January 20, the date of Biden’s inauguration.

Large parts of Washington’s downtown area were boarded up, with shops and businesses shuttered by the coronavirus and amid fears of a repeat of the violence that rocked the city during racial justice protests last year.

President Donald Trump confirmed he planned to speak at a separate Washington D.C. rally tomorrow, called in protest at the certification by Congress of Joe Biden’s election victory.

“I will be speaking at the SAVE AMERICA RALLY tomorrow on the Ellipse at 11AM Eastern,” tweeted Mr Trump, who refuses to concede defeat two months after the November vote.

“Arrive early,” he added.

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I will be speaking at the SAVE AMERICA RALLY tomorrow on the Ellipse at 11AM Eastern. Arrive early — doors open at 7AM Eastern. BIG CROWDS! pic.twitter.com/k4blXESc0c

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2021

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Mr Trump has steadfastly refused to accept his election loss, making repeated and unfounded claims of fraud in the states where he was narrowly beaten.

Multiple courts have rejected legal challenges from Mr Trump’s team but he has succeeded in sowing doubt among Republican voters, more than half who believe Mr Trump won or aren’t sure who did, according to a survey last month.

While Trump supporters protest in the streets, several House and Senate Republicans have already signalled they will object to certifying the votes in some swing states won by Biden, potentially forcing proceedings into the overnight hours.

But the chance of the plan working is virtually zero. Democrats control the House of Representatives, while only a dozen Republicans in the 100-member Senate are likely to object to confirmation.