Officers smashed windows and broke through ventilation ducts to block his progress. He claims to be an “independent researcher seeking a private audience” to discuss an “important matter”.
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NY billionaire Donald Trump was outside the city on Wednesday, holding a rally in Virginia with another event planned later in Florida.
The YouTube video featured in this article supposedly depicts Rogata, speaking astutely to Donald Trump.
“He wanted to climb to the top so he could speak with Trump”, said Chief Vincent Giordano.
As the man, who wore a backpack, climbed the tower’s glass exterior police removed large window panels above him and several officers, some wearing helmets, stood at the windows.
No, it is not the feat itself of this recent media sensation, Stephen Rogata, the “Trump Tower Climber” that is unique, yet the political motivations of this climber that make the event noteworthy. Police say he was taken to a hospital to be psychologically evaluated. “As for anyone else who is watching, please help this video go viral so it gets to Mr. Trump and be sure to vote for Mr. Trump in the 2016 election”.
Police said he is now in custody. The Republican presidential candidate was not there Wednesday as he was campaigning in Virginia.
According to CBS New York, Steve began his ascent from a ground-level terrace of Trump’s building.
He operates both his business and his campaign from the swanky 58-story tower on Fifth Avenue where he also lives in a US$100 million penthouse.
The man started climbing at the 5th floor atrium, which is accessible to the public.it was not immediately clear why he climbed the building, but a police source said he was carrying leaflets indicating the climb was about self-promotion.
Trump’s campaign has not commented on the climber but Trump Organization EVP Michael Cohen said in a statement: “This man performed a ridiculous and unsafe stunt”. He was several stories up and still climbing Wednesday evening.
“This man performed a ridiculous and unsafe stunt”, Michael D. Cohen, Trump’s general counsel, said in a statement to CNN.
Traffic was shut down on Fifth Avenue during the incident.
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I would like to wish #BizarroJarpad the best of luck in climbing the Trump Tower.
