THIS IS THE LEFT: Unhinged Liberal Pepper-Sprays and Assaults Conservative Journalist in Broad-Daylight Attack on Philadelphia Bus
An independent conservative journalist says he was pepper-sprayed and assaulted while riding a SEPTA bus in downtown Philadelphia earlier this week.
Frank Scales, a reporter with SurgePhilly, described the incident in a post on X, saying the confrontation began while he was seated on a Route 7 bus around noon Monday. According to Scales, he was looking out the window and not interacting with anyone when a woman seated behind him began shouting accusations that he was a fascist and a racist.
Scales later identified the woman as Paulina Reyes, whom he described as a known left-wing activist and a former intern at WHYY. Video recorded during the incident shows the woman repeatedly confronting Scales and making accusations about his online commentary.
I was assaulted for my work as a journalist while riding home on a bus in Philadelphia.
While looking out of the window minding my own business, a known ANTIFA agitator sitting directly behind me started yelling at me claiming that I was a rascist and a fascist. I started… pic.twitter.com/glUn4P8643
— SurgePhilly (@Surge_Philly) January 19, 2026
When Scales began recording the encounter on his phone, he says the situation escalated. According to his account and video footage, the woman lunged at his phone, struck him over the head, and sprayed him with pepper spray while the bus was still in motion.
In the video, the woman can be heard accusing Scales of making derogatory remarks about Muslims, Black people, and Mexicans online. Ian McGinnis, co-founder of Surge Media, was also on the bus and managed to retrieve the phone and continue recording as the confrontation continued.
Scales said the woman briefly exited the bus but later re-entered and confronted him again, at which point she allegedly pepper-sprayed him directly in the face a second time. The bus driver then removed the woman from the bus and drove away.
These are the people reporting the news. pic.twitter.com/VdyYpSeJdI
— SurgePhilly (@Surge_Philly) January 20, 2026
“I was assaulted for my work as a journalist while riding home on a bus in Philadelphia,” Scales wrote on X. He said police responded to the scene, took his statement, and that he declined medical treatment. Scales said he plans to press charges.
SEPTA confirmed it is investigating the incident and said transit police were notified.
WHYY issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that Reyes previously served as an intern from June 2025 through August 2025, but emphasized that she has no current affiliation with the organization. “We reaffirm our strong support for civil discourse and remain dedicated to providing trustworthy, high-quality content to the Tri-State region,” the statement said. Reyes did not respond to requests for comment.
Scales has previously drawn attention for his outspoken criticism of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. In September 2025, a separate confrontation involving Krasner and Scales went viral after the district attorney grabbed Scales’ phone and called him “un-American.” Scales was also blocked from entering a Krasner town hall event by activists.
“She didn’t just assault me, she endangered everyone on that bus.”@FrankJScales says alleged pepper spray attacker Paulina Reyes acted out of anger and resentment, saying some activists turn hostile when they can’t control the narrative or match the success of people they… pic.twitter.com/qzXNskAqdb
— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) January 20, 2026
🚨 STATEMENT FROM @FrankJScales
“At the Community College of Philadelphia, I was investigated for hate speech because I said that the Founding Fathers of our nation were good people. I was then impeached and removed from my post as President of Student Government for supporting… pic.twitter.com/Oc2BK3Gj0p
— SurgePhilly (@Surge_Philly) January 20, 2026
Before becoming a full-time journalist, Scales served as president of the Student Government Association at the Community College of Philadelphia, where he helped establish an independent student newspaper and secured student representation on the school’s Board of Trustees. He later faced impeachment from the SGA following allegations related to his speech and conduct on campus.
In a separate post, Scales said he believes his political views — including his support for President Trump — have made him a target. He called on the Community College of Philadelphia to publicly denounce political violence.
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