WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump singled out a man for insults at his Thursday night rally in Manchester, N.H.

But the person the president said had a "serious weight problem" ended up being an enthusiastic Trump supporter – identified by Fox News as Frank Dawson, a former law enforcement officer and Navy veteran.

Trump's rally had been briefly disrupted by protesters after he criticized Democrats for describing political opponents as "fascists and Nazis." The rally attendees starting booing the protesters and chanting "USA" as people were escorted out of SNHU Arena.

The Associated Press reported Trump mistakenly insulted a nearby man wearing a "Trump 2020" shirt who was shaking his fist in support as Trump launched into his rant.

“That guy’s got a serious weight problem,” Trump said. "Go home. Start exercising."

The guy President @realDonaldTrump said was "overweight" and needed to "go home and exercise" turned out to be a Trump supporter! And he took the President's criticism like a champ! 😂 pic.twitter.com/FXa9GBIsMY — Eddie Zipperer (@EddieZipperer) August 16, 2019

Trump bashes N.H. protester:'That guy’s got a serious weight problem'

Fox News identified Dawson as the person Trump insulted after the rally. Dawson, in an interview, appeared not to mind Trump's criticism and defended the president.

"Everything's good. I love the guy. He's the best thing that's ever happened to this country," Dawson told Fox.

Dawson said he'd tried to take away the protesters' signs.

Trump "didn't see me rip the signs away from the people," Dawson said to Fox, before adding, "he thought I was part of it but I wasn't. I was the good part of it."

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Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Manchester rally: Man president insulted for weight was a fan