A dramatic scene unfolded at a prominent Republican gathering in Manhattan when a key Trump campaign figure took center stage.
According to the New York Post, Donald Trump's campaign adviser, Alex Bruesewitz, lost consciousness and fell over the lectern while delivering remarks at the New York Young Republican Club gala at Cipriani Wall Street.
The concerning incident occurred as Bruesewitz introduced incoming White House senior aide Dan Scavino to the hundreds of attendees at the black-tie event.
Before the collapse, he had been praising the New York Republican Club's support for Trump and acknowledging various Trump supporters, including former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
Several attendees rushed to assist Bruesewitz after his collapse, which saw him taking down the lectern with him. Master of ceremonies Raheem Kassam, a former aide to British conservative politician Nigel Farage, quickly addressed the worried crowd to provide an update on Bruesewitz's condition.
Kassam shared that Bruesewitz was recovering backstage and had even maintained his sense of humor about the incident. Speaking to the audience, Kassam relayed Bruesewitz's first words after the incident:
I talked to our friend Alex Bruesewitz and you know what he said to me? He goes, 'Did I at least look cool?' I said, 'Alex, you used gravity like I've seen nobody use gravity before in their lives.'
President-elect Trump demonstrated his support for his adviser by calling in to the event following the incident. His words reflected both concern and confidence in Bruesewitz's recovery:
I know that Alex is going to be fine because he's a tough son of a gun. There's no doubt about that. So I want to say hello to Alex, because he's a very special guy.
The event featured several other prominent speakers, including Nigel Farage, Dan Scavino, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, and senior Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski.
Bruesewitz serves as the CEO of X Strategies LLC, a company focused on electing America First candidates. The organization has been instrumental in challenging Republicans who oppose Trump and the MAGA movement, working to replace them with supporters of their political agenda.
Prior to his collapse, video footage showed Bruesewitz appearing normal as he delivered the beginning of his speech. The incident marked an unexpected turn in what was otherwise a standard political gathering.
The Post attempted to reach X Strategies LLC for additional comment on the situation, though no response was immediately available.
The incident occurred during the New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, a prestigious venue that hosted numerous influential conservative figures. The event showcased the continued strength of Trump's support within the Republican party, even as it was marked by this unexpected medical incident.
The swift response from both organizers and fellow conservatives, including Trump's personal call-in, demonstrated the close-knit nature of the political movement. Despite the concerning nature of the collapse, the event continued with its scheduled program after confirming Bruesewitz's stable condition.