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At Bolivar Town Hall, Missouri Farmer Confronts Rep. Mark Alford Over Trump Support

The exchange underscored local frustration over austerity politics tied to Trump-aligned representation.

People listen as Republican Rep. Mark Alford addresses attendees at a town hall, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bolivar, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
People listen as Republican Rep. Mark Alford addresses attendees at a town hall, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bolivar, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Fred Higginbotham, from Bolivar, Mo., asks a question of Republican Rep. Mark Alford at a town hall, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bolivar, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Republican Rep. Mark Alford addresses attendees at a town hall, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bolivar, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Overview

  • During a Monday night forum in Bolivar, attendee Fred Higginbotham criticized President Donald Trump as a "dictator" and used profane language to urge Rep. Mark Alford to focus on constituent needs.
  • Higginbotham said he is at risk of losing his farm and blamed federal policy shifts, including what he described as cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • He pressed for fiscal changes by calling for higher taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans, drawing applause from some in the audience.
  • Alford thanked him for speaking, said he would follow up with his staff on the farm issue, and pledged to keep communication lines open.
  • Coverage notes Alford’s reputation for austerity-minded positions and highlights how video of the exchange, shared via C-SPAN and YouTube, brought wider attention to the moment.