Activist disrupts Ohio rally with Epstein chant

President Donald Trump faced vocal opposition at a campaign stop in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Wednesday evening.

Robert Potylo, an online activist known for his social media handle Robby Roadsteamer, interrupted the President's opening remarks. He sang the lyrics "Trump went on the Jeffrey Epstein plane" to the melody of the Village People song "Y.M.C.A." The crowd booed as Potylo continued the chant. He then shouted the phrases "Butterscotch shitler" and "Pumpkin spice pedo" at the stage.

The disruption drew attention to the late financier's connection to the President. Epstein died in a federal prison in 2019. In February, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland stated that Trump's name appeared more than a million times in unredacted Epstein Files documents.

Security removed Potylo from the venue and transferred him to local police. An officer managed the crowd outside to prevent supporters from confronting him. Potylo told reporters that he had a physical scuffle with one attendee who knocked his phone from his hand. He retrieved the device from under a bench. The activist said he shaved his beard for the first time in two decades to avoid recognition by security personnel. He aimed to start his protest within the first five minutes of the speech to avoid listening to the full hours long address.

Trump responded by calling the protester a paid actor. The President said he was given $250 to attend the event. Potylo disputed the figure, noting that the viral video generated a larger amount in donations for his account.

The activist has a history of interrupting political figures. In 2024, he questioned former strategist Steve Bannon about a future insurrection and a potential raid on a Burger King. He also heckled the late commentator Charlie Kirk.

Local police took Potylo into custody after the rally. The event concluded with the standard security sweep of the venue. The next scheduled stop on the campaign tour has not been announced.