Overview

• Rep. Byron Donalds faced heated interruptions and protests at his April 21 town hall in Estero, Florida, with two attendees ejected after shouting pro-Palestinian slogans during a discussion on U.S. support for Israel.
• Donalds defended Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its federal cost-cutting measures, emphasizing the need to let the department complete its work under presidential authority.
• The congressman rejected criticisms of the Trump administration’s elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, calling the premise that minority success depends on DEI initiatives a “lie.”
• Audience members repeatedly challenged Donalds on oversight of DOGE, Social Security concerns, and broader Trump administration policies, with mixed reactions of boos and applause throughout the event.
• Donalds described the disruptions as “out of hand” but reaffirmed plans to continue in-person town halls, positioning himself as unafraid of contentious exchanges as he campaigns for Florida governor.