NORTH CAROLINA (REUTERS) - A man is reportedly facing criminal charges after police say he assaulted a protester being removed from a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in North Carolina.

The incident on Wednesday night (March 9) in Fayetteville was caught on video by bystanders, and shows 78-year-old John McGraw punching Rakeem Jones in the face.

McGraw has been charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct.

Mr Trump's campaign rallies are boisterous in tone, with the New York billionaire often pausing in his addresses to scold protesters and ask security officers to take them away.

The real estate magnate is the front runner to be his party's presidential nominee for the Nov 8 general election.