Trump accuses protesters at GOP town hall of being paid to show up

President Trump in a Sunday Truth Social post said protesters who railed against Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) during a contentious town hall earlier this month were “Radical Left Lunatics,” who were paid to show up.

“I just watched our GREAT Republican Congressman from North Carolina, CHUCK EDWARDS, hold a Town Hall in Asheville,” Trump wrote in the post.

“He was a total gentleman, but the room was ‘littered’ with Radical Left Lunatics, mostly Democrats, and all they did was scream, shout and use filthy language. They were largely paid agitators, with fake signs and slogans, and were only there to make TROUBLE! Chuck put up with it, and was WONDERFUL!”

The president did not offer evidence to show the attendees were Democrats paid to show up at the town hall. Asheville is known as a liberal enclave in North Carolina, and it would not be surprising for registered Democrats to show up for a town hall there.

Trump defended the work Republicans have done since he returned to the Oval Office in January.

“As soon as I got to office, we worked miracles, with ZERO HELP FROM THE DEMS. WE HAVE BEEN PRAISED FOR THE JOB THAT WE DID, AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SCORNED. Also remember, you have a Democrat Governor who is supposed to be doing the work that Chuck, and other Republicans, are doing,” Trump continued in his post.

“Don’t let infiltrated Town Halls fool you. It the only thing the Dems know how to do. Great Job Chuck!!!”

Edwards at his Asheville town hall event faced boos and a swarm of protesters who were angry about his support for Trump and about cuts pushed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

House Republican leaders had warned members earlier this month that coordinated activists and protesters would derail the events, and argued that members could reach more constituents and voters with live-streamed or tele-town halls instead.

But Edwards defended his decision to hold in-person town halls.

“I think that was able to show folks that Republicans can and should stand our ground,” Edwards told The Hill in an earlier interview.

“I went toe-to-toe with the progressive left, all 12 rounds. I believe that there were some media vehicles out there that helped me communicate effectively the things that we were doing. … I would certainly do it again,” Edwards added.

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