Inflatable Trump-Wearing Counter-Protester Attacked Near Swampscott 'No Kings' Rally: Reports

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A Peabody man who wore an inflatable Donald Trump costume to the "No Kings" rally in Swampscott on Saturday said he was attacked near King's Beach, according to media reports.

Jonathan Silveira told NBC Boston that while on his way to the protest, a man came up to him yelling and screaming, and saying that he wanted to punch him in the face.

Silveira told the station that he was "just trying to get a few laughs" and thought the costume would generate "a couple of back-and-forths."

The station said Michael Curll was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and pleaded not guilty to the charges in court on Monday.

Curll told WHDH-TV that he was the true victim in the incident and that Silveira hit him in the eye with the American flag pole that he was carry to the rally.