Donald Trump’s campaign adviser, Alex Bruesewitz, collapsed on stage while speaking at a GOP event in New York on Sunday evening.
Bruesewitz, a 27-year-old strategist working to help Trump connect with young voters during the 2024 election, was introducing Dan Scavino, who is set to be the White House’s new deputy chief of staff. The event, the 112th New York Young Republicans Club Gala, was held at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan.
Shocking video shows Bruesewitz speaking at the podium, but then he begins slurring his words and staring blankly at the crowd of Republicans, some dressed in tuxedos and ballgowns, others in red MAGA hats.
“I’m forgetting my words,” Bruesewitz says, before suddenly collapsing. Several people in the audience screamed as he fell. Attendees rushed to help him as the camera zoomed out.
Bruesewitz, who is also the CEO of political consulting firm XStrategies LLC, was quickly helped backstage.
After the incident, Trump called into the event to wish his adviser well. “I know Alex is going to be fine because he’s a tough guy,” Trump said. “There’s no doubt about that. So I want to say hello to Alex, because he’s a very special guy.”
Raheem Kassam, the master of ceremonies, later reassured the crowd, saying Bruesewitz was doing well. “I talked to Alex, and you know what he said to me? He asked, ‘Did I at least look cool?’ I told him, ‘Alex, you used gravity like nobody else!’” Kassam said, making light of the situation. “He’s recovering backstage, so give him a big cheer.”
Jack Posobiec, a conservative commentator, also updated the crowd on Bruesewitz’s condition. He said Bruesewitz was being checked by medical staff but that everything appeared normal. Posobiec added that the most likely cause of Bruesewitz’s collapse was dehydration and standing with his legs locked for too long.
Though the event mainly focused on Trump’s campaign, the audience also celebrated the acquittal of Daniel Penny, the former Marine who was charged with killing a homeless man, Jordan Neely, after putting him in a chokehold on a subway train last year.
Gavin Wax, president of the New York Young Republicans Club, praised the jury for acquitting Penny. “Daniel Penny became the folk hero we need in America today,” Wax said. “The jury in Manhattan saw through the nonsense and gave him a fair trial.”
Watch the clip below:
Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz just collapsed on stage at the NY Young Republican Club gala pic.twitter.com/d912rWUBiy
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 16, 2024
