Assaulted Elderly Fall River Trump Supporter Receives Call from Trump Jr.

Just days after being allegedly being beaten down for his political beliefs, an elderly Fall River man received the call of a lifetime thanks to WBSM’s Howie Carr Show.

Charlie Chase, an 82-year-old Air Force veteran who was assaulted Tuesday in Fall River while holding a sign in support of President Donald Trump, was a guest on Carr’s radio program Friday afternoon to recount what happened to him. During his appearance, the retired teacher-turned-political activist received a surprise call of well-wishes from the president’s son, Donald Trump, Jr.

“I just wanted to say I saw your story, and we’re sorry you had to go through that,” Trump told Chase. “We really appreciate the support and stuff like that shouldn’t be going on in America. I just wanted to say thank you for that support, thank you for your steadfast loyalty, for your service to our country. It means the world to us.”

“I have to thank you guys,” Chase replied, audibly becoming choked up with emotion. “You don’t know how much you mean to us. Thank you.”

Chase worked at Providence College and Stonehill College and now spends his time collecting signatures for Republican candidates and distributes a conservative newspaper around Bristol County. As part of his activism, Chase was standing on the grass of the rotary at North Main Street and Airport Road in Fall River on Tuesday, holding his Trump sign. Police say that’s when 27-year-old Aidan Courtright of Fall River was driving by and noticed Chase and took exception to his sign.

According to police, Courtright put his car in park, exited his vehicle, and then walked towards Chase while screaming “Give me the f------ sign!” They say Courtright then forcefully ripped the sign out of Chase’s hands, ripped it in half, and threw it on the ground.

“I’ve never seen a character in a movie that looked as scary, ugly and angry as this person,” Chase told Carr. “I’ve never seen a face like that in my 82 years. It was so scary, I was frozen for a little while.”

Police say Courtright then went after the Chase, grabbing him by his shirt, knocked his Trump hat off, and threw him violently to the ground. Witnesses to the incident took down Courtright’s license plate number and he was contacted by Fall River Police and later turned himself in. He faces charges of civil rights violation with injury; assault and battery on a person over 60; vandalism of personal property; and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

During Friday’s radio appearance, Trump told Chase he would have his team send the man “extra MAGA swag, hats, gear, flags and everything like that, just to thank you for everything you stand for, my friend.”

“I promise you, it’s guys like you that keep us motivated, patriots Americans, and thank you so much for your service to our country,” Trump said, noting that he had tweeted about the incident but also wanted to call in to personally thank Chase. “Yours is a truly remarkable generation.”

“Thank you,” Chase replied. “This will not scare me away. I’m going to continue doing this right up until the election.”

Before the end of Chase’s appearance, Carr asked him what he would say to Courtright if he could speak directly to him.

“I would say that I love you,” Chase said. “I love you, you’re another human being with us, but you are just not doing the right thing. You need to listen to your heart more, and don’t let your philosophies destroy you by making you do things that are going to hurt you for the rest of your life.”

“Get together with us, do something constructive. It’s in everyone to do something like that. Maybe you can find yourself. I hope you do,” he said.