Thomas DiMassimo is the man who rushed Donald Trump’s stage during a rally in Vandalia, Ohio last March. Thomas is currently a student at Wright State University and progressive activist having attended numerous protests and rallies during the current presidential elections. Tom is also a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Upon rushing Donald Trump’s stage, Thomas was arrested for disorderly conduct. Watch the incident below covered by CNN.
Aside from making worldwide headlines for his extravagant act, Thomas also made waves in the hip-hop community for the shirt he was wearing during his attempt to take Trump’s podium. Thomas was wearing a ‘Dreamville’ t-shirt when he tried to rush the republican candidate’s stage. Dreamville is a record label founded and owned by hip-hop rapper J.Cole. We had the opportunity to interview Thomas DiMassimo and talk about his interesting shirt selection while attempting one of the bravest protester acts in recent times.
Why were you wearing a ‘Dreamville’ t-shirt the day you decided to rush Donald Trump’s stage? Coincidence? Symbolism?
Thomas: I was wearing a Dreamville shirt cause the only jeans I had clean were black and the shirt with my Nikes made a nice all black look. Whenever I go stage a protest I try to look fresh. So it wasn’t meant to symbolize anything, I think the fact that protestors in general wear clothes like that is symbolic of activism now.
Did you plan your outfit before attending the rally or just threw something on?
Thomas: I plan to look nice. I don’t think will the Internet go nuts if I where fresh sh**, I just think what if activist bae is there? I gotta let her know I’m fresh.
Where did you buy your ‘Dreamville’ t-shirt?
Thomas: I bought it during J. Cole’s first ‘Dollar and a Dream’ tour when he came through Atlanta – summer 2013. That was a moment for me.
Did secret service ruin your Dreamville shirt?
Thomas: Yes.
Are you a J. Cole fan?
Thomas: More and more everyday.
What do you plan to do with the now legendary tee? eBay?
Thomas: Haha (I’m) keeping it. It still has sentimental value. Someday in the future we’ll look back at Cole and these guys as the greats of our time. Having this shirt is like having OG apparel from the 90’s.
You wear cool t-shirts. In your exclusive interview with CNN, you were wearing a Muhammad Ali tee. Where do you buy your tees?
Thomas: That Muhammed Ali tee was a subtle jab at everyone demanding me to prove I wasn’t ISIS. Like I’m happy to prove I’m not. But the blatant islamaphobia is where it stems from. So I put on that shirt to remind people of the true Islam. I got that at GAP I think. I had a fresh fit for stone mountain too. A Harlem Globetrotters tee with some True Blue 3s. I pretty much buy dope shirts when I run into them. I always buy merch at live events. I’m looking for an OG Joe Namath jersey if you know a plug…
Do you consider yourself a fashionable man?
Thomas: Fuck no. I was when I started college. I fell off. After I graduate I’m gone get me style game back up ♦
Thomas DiMassimo is currently facing federal charges for the incident and a maximum sentence of one year in prison and $100,000 in fines. He is being charged with knowingly entering a restricted area illegally. Thomas has pleaded not guilty.
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