Trump Tower climber: Donald fan Stephen Rogata, who scaled building with suction cups, wanted to talk to Republican presidential nominee
BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
Donald Trump supporter Stephen Rogata, who scaled the all-glass facade of Trump Tower in New York City using giant suction cups, has been arrested after being pulled inside the building by police.
Donald Trump supporter Stephen Rogata, who scaled the all-glass facade of Trump Tower in New York City using giant suction cups, has been arrested after being pulled inside the building by police.
Rogata, of Great Falls, Virginia, was first seen climbing the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue and 56th Street at around 3.30pm Wednesday.
The 19-year-old scaled the building for more than two hours before he was apprehended. He said that he wanted to talk to the Republican presidential nominee.
Videos recorded by bystanders and streamed online showed police observing the man from an outdoor terrace.
A man scales the all-glass face of Trump Tower in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. The 58-story building is headquarters to the Republican presidential nominee's campaign. He also lives there. (Alex Cannon via AP)
A police spokeswoman said officers responded to the skyscraper on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan but had no further information.
The building is the headquarters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's campaign. The Republican nominee who lives in the 58-storey building was in Florida at the time preparing for an election rally at the BB&T Center.
There was no immediate comment from Mr Trump's campaign spokeswoman.
The spectacle ended when police removed windows on the 21st floor and pulled Rogata inside.
Michael Cohen, executive vice-president of the Trump Organization said: "There's damage to the building and he caused the unnecessary deployment of New York's finest to protect his safety and the safety of everyone in the building.
"He caused the shutdown of traffic on Fifth Avenue. I'm 100% certain the NYPD had better things to do. If Mr. Trump were here he'd be thanking law enforcement for the job they're doing."
Rogata posted a video (viewable below) to Youtube on Tuesday titled "Message to Mr. Trump (why I climbed your tower)". The man explains his reason for scaling the building.
"I am an independent researcher seeking a private audience with you to discuss an important matter. I guarantee that it is in your interest to honour this request.
"Believe me, if my purpose was not significant, I would not risk my life pursuing it. The reason I climbed your tower was to get your attention.
Police grab man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesTOPSHOT - An unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesNYPD Commissioner William Bratton arrives on the scene as an unidentified man that scaled Trump Tower using suction cups is moved to an ambulance, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesNYPD Commissioner William Bratton (C) arrives on the scene as an unidentified man that scaled Trump Tower using suction cups is moved to an ambulance, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice watch from the street as an unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn airbag is deployed by police as an unidentified man attempts to scale Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice watch as an unidentified man (L) scales Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesThe media lines across Fifth Avenue as an unidentified man who attempted to scale Trump Tower using suction cups is moved to an ambulance, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn unidentified man who attempted to scale Trump Tower using suction cups is moved to an ambulance, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn unidentified man who attempted to scale Trump Tower using suction cups is moved to an ambulance, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesTrump supporter Gahan Haskins of the East Village holds up a sign as an unidentified man who attempted to scale Trump Tower is moved to an ambulance, August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople watch from the street as an unidentified man attempts to scale Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople watch from the street as an unidentified man attempts to scale Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 10: People in the streets watch as a man identified as 'Steve from Virginia' climbs up the Trump Tower on August 10, 2016 in New York City. The man used suction cups to scale more than 20 stories of GOP Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's signature skyscraper in Manhattan. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 10: A man identified as 'Steve from Virginia' is grabbed by police as he climbs up the Trump Tower on August 10, 2016 in New York City. The man used suction cups to scale more than 20 stories of GOP Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's signature skyscraper in Manhattan. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)An unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesAn unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice grab an unidentified man scaling Trump Tower using suction cups on August 10, 2016 in New York. Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 10: A man identified as 'Steve from Virginia' is grabbed by police as he climbs up the Trump Tower on August 10, 2016 in New York City. The man used suction cups to scale more than 20 stories of GOP Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's signature skyscraper in Manhattan. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***An unidentified man scales Trump Tower using suction cups, August 10, 2016 in New York.
Police on August 10, 2016 captured a climber scaling Trump Tower, dragging him to safety through an open window on the 21st floor of the New York headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president. Live television footage showed uniformed officers reaching out and grabbing the young man -- dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap -- around three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups. "The climber has been taken into custody," a police spokesman tweeted.
/ AFP PHOTO / Bryan R. SmithBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesA man scales Trump Tower using suction cups Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, in New York. The man spent more than 2 hours scaling the glass facade of Trump Tower, climbing as high as the 21st floor before officers grabbed him. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
"If I had sought this via conventional means, I would be much less likely to have success, because you are a busy man with many responsibilities.
"As for anyone else who is watching, please help make this video go viral so that it gets to Mr. Trump, and be sure to get out and vote for Mr Trump in the 2016 election."
A man scales the all-glass face of Trump Tower in New York, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. The 58-story building is headquarters to the Republican presidential nominee's campaign. He also lives there. (Alex Cannon via AP)
