President Donald Trump used his Twitter and Facebook accounts to spread a baseless conspiracy theory that injured protester Martin Gugino was trying to "scan" and "black out" police equipment prior to him being pushed to the ground by two Buffalo police officers.

Gugino, 75, remains in serious condition in hospital after hitting his head on the ground in an incident that sparked national outrage. Two Buffalo Police Department officers have been charged with second-degree assault, a felony.

Trump's Tuesday morning tweet and Facebook post were inspired by an "absolutely insane" segment from little-watched cable channel One America News Network, which has aired false information in the past. The OAN report baselessly claims Gugino's injury was the result of a "false flag provocation by far-left group antifa," and said he appeared "to use a police tracker" on his phone. There is zero evidence linking Gugino to an antifa organization, and the claim that he tracked or scanned police is based only on the fact that Gugino was holding a mobile phone.

Trump even suggested — again with no evidence — that Gugino's fall was intentional. "I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?" the president said, amplifying false claims to millions of people.

Kelly V. Zarcone, Gugino's attorney, told a Buffalo TV reporter the claims were false.

"No one from law enforcement has even suggested anything otherwise so we are at a loss to understand why the President of the United States would make such dark, dangerous, and untrue accusations against him," she said.