Overview

• Rep. Bryan Steil faced boos, chants and repeated interruptions at an Elkhorn listening session on July 31 over Trump’s tariffs, the “big, beautiful bill,” immigration policy and the war in Gaza.
• The moderator cut the 80-minute event short after persistent disruptions and Steil vowed to hold additional live listening sessions in his district.
• Constituents accused Steil of following President Trump unconditionally and slammed tariff hikes as “terrible taxes” that unfairly burden U.S. consumers.
• Attendees decried cuts to Medicaid and other social services under the July 4 tax and spending law while pressing the congressman on aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and Gaza humanitarian concerns.
• Steil’s experience highlights a broader GOP divide over returning to face-to-face town halls as voter anger over key Trump agenda items grows ahead of the 2026 midterms.