Former President Donald Trump's rally in Tucson, Arizona, has sparked significant health concerns after six attendees reported severe eye injuries. These individuals were seated prominently on stage behind the former President during the event.
KVOA reported that Mayra Rodriguez, a former director at Planned Parenthood, was among the affected. Her experience after the rally was alarming; she suffered intense eye irritation necessitating a visit to the emergency room.
By the following morning, Rodriguez reported that her vision had severely deteriorated, describing the sensation as nearly blinding.
Fortunately, she noted some improvement by Tuesday. However, the initial symptoms were distressing, with severe discomfort and a need to constantly apply a cold cloth to her eyes.
The Trump campaign has acknowledged the incident, stating its commitment to the well-being of all rally attendees.
They are actively gathering information to ascertain the cause of the symptoms experienced by Rodriguez and others.
Surprisingly, the U.S. Secret Service has not been alerted to any direct threats during the rally that might explain the sudden afflictions. Their reports reflect no unusual activity that could have led to the incident.
Meanwhile, the affected individuals recall a troubling set of symptoms. Beyond severe eye irritation, other complaints included excessive tearing, a runny nose, facial flushing, and a burning sensation on the neck.
At the emergency room, medical staff were puzzled by Rodriguez's symptoms, suggesting they resembled reactions to a chemical spray.
"The emergency room staff, from the triage nurse to the PA [Physician Assistant] asked, are you sure you didn’t get sprayed with something your symptoms look like you got sprayed with something," Rodriguez recounted her disturbing experience.
"It hurts a lot to open my eyes. I see a bright light. It's horrible," Rodriguez expressed her ordeal further, illustrating the rapid escalation of her symptoms post-rally.
An unnamed sibling of another affected attendee described similar discomfort, noting the progression from eye-watering to more severe symptoms like a flushed face and a sensation of burning on the neck.
The impact of the incident stretched into the personal and professional lives of those affected. A local realtor, also suffering from the symptoms, found themselves unable to meet their professional commitments due to the severity of the irritation.
"It was all focused on my eyes, my eyes were red like hell you know, it's unbearable. I couldn’t handle it," said an unidentified brother of an affected attendee, sharing his distressing experience.
The Trump campaign, through a senior advisor, expressed continued support for their supporters. “The Trump campaign has been collecting information. We remain committed to the countless patriots that attend our high-energy, high-impact rallies across the country,” stated a Trump senior campaign advisor.
As the community seeks answers, the medical follow-ups continue, with patients like Rodriguez hoping for a quick resolution and recovery.
The underlying cause of these symptoms remains a mystery, with both the campaign and local authorities piecing together the anomalistic events of the rally.
Those affected are recovering, with some reporting a gradual abatement of symptoms, but the incident has raised serious health concerns. It underscores the unpredictable nature of large public gatherings and the unforeseen risks attendees might face.