Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Woman Identified After Subway MAGA Hat Incident in New York City
A woman who tripped and fell onto a subway platform while attempting to seize a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat from a fellow passenger has been identified. The incident, which occurred in a New York City subway station, followed a heated verbal exchange where she reportedly labeled the man “racist.”
Subway Platform Confrontation
Alberta Testanero, 55, was identified by the New York Post as the individual involved in the altercation on a 6 train in Midtown Manhattan last week. The confrontation reportedly began after Testanero engaged in a contentious argument with the man, criticizing his support for former President Donald Trump. Video footage captured Testanero verbally accosting the man, using terms such as “racist” and “uneducated.”
Escalation and Physical Altercation
While the video footage does not depict the initial trigger for the dispute, the situation escalated as the man attempted to exit the subway car. Testanero then apparently tried to grab the MAGA hat from his head. Following this initial attempt, she pursued him onto the platform, where she tripped and fell.
Former Colleague’s Account
According to a former colleague who spoke to the Post, Testanero’s behavior had shifted notably. The former coworker stated they had ceased communication with her after she became, “extremely liberal and very agitated.” The colleague further claimed that Testanero frequently engaged in arguments with individuals holding Republican viewpoints or those she considered to be racist.
Professional Background
Testanero is identified as a freelance creative director and a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her professional portfolio includes collaborations with prominent luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., Coach, and Kate Spade.
Online Presence and Aftermath
In the aftermath of the subway incident, Testanero’s LinkedIn and Facebook profiles appear to have been deactivated. However, a professional networking site for creative professionals lists her areas of expertise as “creative direction, photo art direction, branding and design.” Public records indicate she resides in a high-rent apartment near the Empire State Building.
Viral Video and Verbal Exchange
Video footage of the event, which rapidly gained traction online, depicts Testanero accusing the man wearing the hat of being “racist” during a loud argument, surrounded by onlookers. She is heard stating, “If you f**king voted for Trump you’re a racist.”
Bystander Intervention
A bystander intervened in the exchange, suggesting to Testanero that her confrontational approach was a contributing factor to Trump’s election victory. The man is heard repeatedly saying, “That’s why he won… He won because of people like you.”
Continued Confrontation and Platform Incident
Testanero then redirected her attention to the bystander, questioning, “you’re okay with that? He’s a racist.” The man wearing the MAGA hat initially seemed to react calmly, laughing and asking, “how am I a racist? What race would I be racist against?” Upon arrival at the 28th Street station, the man removed his hat as he stepped onto the platform. At that moment, Testanero moved towards him, apparently attempting to grab the hat. Following a brief struggle, as she lunged again, the man evaded her grasp, and Testanero fell onto the platform.
Post-Fall Reaction
A companion of the man then approached Testanero as she attempted to get up and seemingly photographed her.