At rally for Clinton, Obama speaks up for protester supporting Trump

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a Hillary for America campaign event at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S., November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama chastised supporters at a rally for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in North Carolina on Friday as tensions spiked when a supporter of Republican opponent Donald Trump stood up and began shouting. Obama was interrupted when a white-haired white man in a beret and suit jacket with what appeared to be military patches stood up with a Trump sign and started yelling. He was quickly drowned out by screaming and booing by the crowd, which was predominantly African-American. Obama repeatedly told the at-capacity crowd jammed into a gym at Fayetteville State University to "focus" and to "settle down." "Everybody sit down and be quiet for a second!" Obama said. "You've got an older gentleman who is supporting his candidate," he said as the protester was led away. "We live in a country that respects free speech," he said. "It looks like he might have served in our military – we’ve got to respect that." (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Writing by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Leslie Adler)