A day after being arrested and charged with stabbing and deflating a 20-foot-tall “Baby Trump” inflatable, one Tuscaloosa man is receiving support to pay for his legal fees.
Hoyt Hutchinson, 32, of Tuscaloosa was charged with first-degree criminal mischief after cutting a large hole in an inflatable caricature of President Donald Trump that had been brought in from out of state to protest his visit to town Saturday for the Alabama-LSU game.
According to police reports, officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department arrived at the corner of Hackberry Lane and 15th Street after 1 p.m. Saturday where “Baby Trump” was located.
“Upon arrival, officers observed Hoyt Deau Hutchinson, age 32 of Tuscaloosa, cut into the ‘Baby Trump’ balloon, and then attempted to flee the area,” the release stated. “Officers apprehended the suspect and took him into custody on a charge of Criminal Mischief First Degree.”
Video taken at the scene captured Hutchinson shouting “Trump 2020” as he was being put in the squad car.
FBI Director Kash Patel says bureau ramping up AI to counter domestic, global threats
ICE lodges detainer for illegal immigrant charged in brutal killing of New York taxi driver
DHS fires back at Senate Dems over ICE detainee death claims: ‘Trying to twist data’
Trump endorses Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for New York governor after Stefanik exit
Gun jams as shoplifting suspect tries to shoot Ohio police officer at point-blank range in wild bodycam video
LA deputies caught on camera racing into foggy ocean to rescue disoriented paragliders
Vivek Ramaswamy turns to conservative youth to shape the movement’s next phase, analyzes 2026 races
Woman who filed a complaint against Epstein to Clinton FBI vindicated after DOJ release of files
Second tanker seized near Venezuela as US enforces oil blockade
Meet Minnesota’s fraud ‘mastermind’ accused of playing ‘God,’ wielding ‘fake’ racism claims in Somali scandal
Colorado state senator’s BAC was twice legal limit at time of fatal car crash: Coroner’s report
Elizabeth Smart blasts Ghislaine Maxwell’s ‘country club’ prison treatment: ‘Makes me sick’
The council of Trump: Catholicism’s uncomfortable prominence in US politics
Conservatives need to embrace ‘fusion’ of populism, top leader says, calling AmFest scenes are ‘encouraging’
Desperate search for two men underway after fishing boat found empty 70 miles off Florida coast
Minutes before Hutchinson was arrested, he posted a video on his Facebook profile announcing that he was going to “pop” the inflatable. The video has since been hidden from public view from his Facebook.
“I don’t know how many of ya’ll Republicans out there got any balls about yourself, but they got that Baby Trump balloon down here on campus right now and I’m going down here to make a scene, so ya’ll watch the news. If you got any balls, come join me,” Hutchinson said. “This is pathetic. I’m fixing to get rowdy, so ya’ll pay attention. I’m shaking, I’m so mad right now, but I’m fixing to go, I’m fixing to pop this balloon, without a doubt. Stay tuned. Should be interesting.”
“Baby Trump” has been seen around the world where Trump has been, such as London, Buenos Aires and Los Angeles. Over $6,500 was raised through a GoFundMe to bring it to Tuscaloosa.
Hutchinson was transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail, but made bail and was released later that afternoon. That evening, Hutchinson posted another video on Facebook, which has since been blocked.
“I got charged, but that’s alright,” Hutchinson said. “I’d do it again if given the opportunity.”
FBI Director Kash Patel says bureau ramping up AI to counter domestic, global threats
ICE lodges detainer for illegal immigrant charged in brutal killing of New York taxi driver
DHS fires back at Senate Dems over ICE detainee death claims: ‘Trying to twist data’
Trump endorses Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for New York governor after Stefanik exit
Gun jams as shoplifting suspect tries to shoot Ohio police officer at point-blank range in wild bodycam video
LA deputies caught on camera racing into foggy ocean to rescue disoriented paragliders
Vivek Ramaswamy turns to conservative youth to shape the movement’s next phase, analyzes 2026 races
Woman who filed a complaint against Epstein to Clinton FBI vindicated after DOJ release of files
Second tanker seized near Venezuela as US enforces oil blockade
Meet Minnesota’s fraud ‘mastermind’ accused of playing ‘God,’ wielding ‘fake’ racism claims in Somali scandal
Colorado state senator’s BAC was twice legal limit at time of fatal car crash: Coroner’s report
Elizabeth Smart blasts Ghislaine Maxwell’s ‘country club’ prison treatment: ‘Makes me sick’
The council of Trump: Catholicism’s uncomfortable prominence in US politics
Conservatives need to embrace ‘fusion’ of populism, top leader says, calling AmFest scenes are ‘encouraging’
Desperate search for two men underway after fishing boat found empty 70 miles off Florida coast
Shortly after his arrest, a GoFundMe was started to help pay his legal fees. As of Sunday afternoon, over $32,000 had been raised, surpassing the initial goal of $6,000. The page is managed by Hutchinson and says that all proceeds not needed for legal fees would be donated to Trump’s re-election campaign.
First-degree criminal mischief is a Class C felony in Alabama that is punishable between 1 to 10 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
Story cited here.
