Overview

• Rep. Chuck Edwards encountered boos and protests at a town hall in Asheville, North Carolina, over his support for Trump and federal budget cuts led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
• Donald Trump praised Edwards for his handling of the event, calling him a 'total gentleman' and accusing protesters of being 'paid agitators' and 'Radical Left Lunatics.'
• Trump alleged that the town hall was infiltrated by Democrats using fake signs and slogans, though no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.
• Edwards defended his decision to hold in-person town halls despite Republican leaders warning about potential disruptions, framing it as standing firm against progressive opposition.
• The contentious event has sparked broader discussions within the Republican Party about the risks and benefits of in-person public engagement in politically divided areas like Asheville.