US Rep. Chuck Edwards faced a hostile audience at his Thursday town house in Asheville, North Carolina.
At one level he attempted to address issues about President Donald Trump’s business plans. ” Let me reply and then if you don’t like it, you can clap or screech or whatever you’d like to do”, Edwards said, appearing tired.
The audience erupted in anger within times of his reason regarding Trump’s tax strategy. He persisted with his answer, concluding by telling guests that he would” stop it and you can yell”, which they immediately did.
The senator encountered ongoing jeers and severe questions about Trump management policies for about 90 minutes. The place, a college hall, held 300 people in, while over a thousand protesters around made their appearance known throughout.
The environment deteriorated within the first half-hour as visitors frequently interrupted Edwards with angry bouts. Asheville stands as a Democrat enclave in North Carolina’s overwhelmingly Republican mountain area. North Carolina supported Trump in the 2024 election.
” And you wonder why people don’t want to do these village corridors”, Edwards remarked amid the crying.
Edwards began by discussing Hurricane Helene restoration work in western North Carolina. The wind claimed over 100 existence and caused £59.6 billion in injuries, according to status information.
When Edwards highlighted the Trump president’s restoration efforts, including a plan to reduce FEMA, attendees demanded instant answers to their questions. Security removed one man for using insulting language towards the senator, who claimed to be a senior and accused the agent for’ not caring about him’. ” You have nothing to state but lies”, the gentleman yelled, as his audience cheered. “You’re lying. I’m a senior, you don’t give a f*** about me”, he more claimed.
” You don’t get to take away our right”, the man was heard yelling as security guards approached to escort him out.
Edwards even took time to defend Elon Musk and his job. When questioned about Musk and Depends “having studying reading, privileges with the government Department’s database”, the congressman claimed,” If the name of the man that was running that agency was anything more than Elon Musk you probably wouldn’t be as irritated. about it. Uh, because the truth. is actually before. President Trump was elected. There were citizens working inside these companies that had exposure that were required entry”.
Prompting another round of groans and protest from the crowd, he added,” You should also realize that those people and people that serve with DOGE have gone through the same identical security windows, s everyone more. Some somebody’s gonna be in charge of looking at those. guys name, just happens to be Elon Musk right now”.
The congressman also addressed questions about government agency reductions under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, healthcare programmes, Veterans Affairs job cuts, and US support for Ukraine against Russia. Most attendees stood and applauded these questions.
Edwards maintained support for Trump administration policies whilst acknowledging the need to consider constituent feedback for potential improvements.
Despite the contentious atmosphere, Edwards remained composed, expressing appreciation for the crowd’s “passion” and “patriotism”.
” I take away from what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington DC. to do”, Edwards said, as protesters knocked on nearby doors.
This town hall was held despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s advice to Republican representatives to avoid it due to “professional protesters”. Edwards stated he wanted to maintain dialogue with western North Carolina residents, regardless of disagreements.
