UPDATE: Teen charged in tug-of-war over MAGA hat left 81-year-old injured, grocery cart toppled

An 81-year-old man was assaulted in an attack that reportedly stemmed from a dispute over the “Make America Great Again” hat he was wearing at a Franklin Township supermarket, authorities said Tuesday.

The man, a township resident, suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment following the assault that occurred Monday around 3:20 p.m. at an Elizabeth Avenue store, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

“The incident reportedly began after the victim was confronted about the red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat he was wearing,” Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office declined to release more details on the incident, citing the active investigation.

It was not clear what led authorities to suspect the hat played a role in the alleged attack.

The prosecutor’s office Major Crimes Unit and Franklin police were investigating.

Anyone with information was asked to call county investigators at 908-231-7100, or the local police at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. Tips can also be provided through Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ at 1-888-577-TIPS or online.

Somerset County is home to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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