Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh denied the reassignment was a reaction to the Tulsa rally.
“This is not a reaction to Tulsa. Michael Glassner is taking on the long-term role of navigating the many legal courses we face, including lawsuits against the mainstream media, some of which are likely to extend beyond the end of the campaign, “Murtaugh said in an email. “He is one of the founding members of Team Trump and his dedication to the President’s success is second to none.”
Tulsa was Trump’s first demonstration in three months, as coronavirus restrictions were put in place, and served as a clear reminder to the campaign, and to the President, that the pandemic is far from over. Eight campaign staff members and two Secret Service agents in Tulsa tested positive for coronavirus, and the rest of the campaign staff who attended the rally were quarantined the following week. The campaign carried out temperature controls, provided hand sanitizer to attendees and distributed masks, but did not require people to wear them or at a social distance during the event.
Campaign staff removed the signs promoting social estrangement during the event. A similar scene unfolded a few days later when Trump spoke at a crowded church in Arizona where few attendees wore masks.
Trump was slated to travel to the state before the Senate race between his former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, and former Auburn University soccer coach Tommy Tuberville, but the plans were canceled as state officials voiced their Concern about a massive rally, and campaign officials finally decided not to. A person close to the campaign said there are currently no protests on the horizon, but attendees are looking for possible locations for when they decide to organize them again.
The President has been eager to return to the campaign and was excited about the idea of traveling to Alabama. He sees the protests as an outlet where he can connect with his followers in a way that he cannot when he is in Washington and has blamed poor poll numbers for his absence from the campaign.
This story has been updated with additional information on the campaign demonstrations.
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