A 501(c)(4) organization with a history of supporting Democrats and embarrassing Republicans in Michigan is alleging one of its activists was mistreated at the “unsafe” Trump rally Friday night.
Distill Social was formed in 2022 and its activities seem to be little more an ridiculing Republicans on social media and disrupting public meetings of ideological opponents.
On Friday, the group, billing itself as “independent media,” wrote on X one of its activists attending the Trump rally in Macomb County with a press badge was “offered drugs” and “sexually harassed”.
We’ve attended many Trump rallies. Tonight’s was different.
As independent media, we’ve attended many Trump/MAGA rallies over the years. Typically, these events are predictable—energized, but generally orderly. We approach attendees, offer interviews, and often have pleasant,… pic.twitter.com/rCcqDgGqo2
— Distill Social (@DistillSocial) September 28, 2024
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We arrived later than usual, knowing Trump would be arriving late himself. The crowd outside was rowdier than usual, and something felt off. People were visibly drunk and high—generally not atmosphere we’ve come to expect. We were even offered drugs, something we had never experienced before.
Things took a darker turn when one of our team members was sexually harassed by a man who grabbed her and tried to forcibly kiss her. This crossed a line we couldn’t ignore. The energy had shifted. Feeling unsafe, we made the decision to leave early, along with hundreds of others who, like us, saw Trump start his speech and then headed for the exits.
The Midwesterner asked the group if filed it a police report after the alleged incident. It has yet to respond.
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Distill Social posted the claims at 9:16 p.m. At 8:28 p.m. — nearly 45 minutes earlier — the group posted video of Trump supporters leaving the event early and made no mention of the allegations.
“Hundreds walking out early complaint (sic) that the rally started late and they are tried (sic),” it wrote.
Video taken about 30 min ago. They are leaving early in droves. Hundreds walking out early complaint that the rally started late and they are tried. pic.twitter.com/KIhz9qYoWz
— Distill Social (@DistillSocial) September 28, 2024
On a 990 tax form, the group said its objectives include “promoting (voting) and providing education by combating disinformation online and focusing on getting the young generation and disengaged individuals out to vote.” In 2022, it reported raising $223,403 on “social media and in-person events to mobilize, educate and encourage progressive voter turnout.”
The board president of Distill Social is Julie Campbell-Bode, a Democrat activist, according to a filing with the state of Michigan.
In 2019, she was photographed hugging newly inaugurated Gov. Gretchen Whitmer:

Campbell-Bode was an early volunteer for Whitmer’s campaign, according to The South End. She also is board chair of “Fems for Democracy,” In These Times reported.