A Massachusetts man is facing criminal charges after allegedly attacking a Trump supporter in Swampscott. The victim, Jonathan Silveira, was wearing an inflatable Donald Trump costume when the incident occurred.
Silveira was on his way to a ‘No Kings’ protest organized by North Shore Indivisible when the altercation happened near King’s Beach, preventing him from reaching the rally. The protest drew approximately 1,200 people.
Michael J. Curll, 48, is accused of violently attacking Silveira. He has pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Curll is also facing several unrelated charges in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including assault and battery, drug possession, and criminal trespassing.
His attorney claims the altercation began with Silveira, while Silveira has strongly denied these claims.
Silveira described Curll as “yelling” and “screaming” during the confrontation. "He just didn't want me there. He kept yelling and screaming," Silveira told NBC10 Boston.
"I kept telling him to get away from me, and he kept telling people around him that he wanted to punch me in the face." The attack escalated physically when Curll allegedly tried to force Silveira to the ground, causing him to hit a nearby pole.
Curll has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court in December. His attorney said Curll was hit in the face with a metal pole during the altercation, a claim Silveira denied: "Absolutely not. Not even close."
Beyond this incident, Curll faces unrelated charges in Massachusetts and Connecticut. These include assault and battery, criminal trespassing, and drug possession, highlighting a pattern of ongoing legal trouble.
Michael J. Curll is 48 years old. He has a history of legal troubles in Massachusetts and Connecticut, which adds context to the current allegations.
Curll is accused of violently attacking Jonathan Silveira, who was dressed in an inflatable Trump costume near King’s Beach. The attack allegedly included yelling, screaming, and physical aggression.
Curll has pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and is scheduled to return to court in December. His attorney claims Silveira started the altercation, which the victim denies.
Curll faces other charges in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including assault and battery, drug possession, and criminal trespassing. This points to a pattern of legal issues.
The attack and Curll’s arrest were captured on video, including footage recorded by Silveira’s girlfriend. Silveira said:
"I don't understand why he got that crazy. I was just trying to get a few laughs. I thought it would be a couple of back-and-forths, you know, nothing like that."
The video adds public scrutiny to the case and shows how social media and live recordings influence public perception of politically charged incidents.
This incident highlights rising political tensions at public protests. Experts note that symbolic acts, like wearing a Trump costume, can provoke confrontations. Security officials emphasize the importance of crowd management and conflict prevention, especially at politically charged events.
Analysts say incidents like this underscore the challenges authorities face in protecting both protesters and bystanders and raise questions about how social media amplifies conflicts.
