Trump Sits Down For Town Hall
During a lively town hall in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday night, former President Donald Trump turned the tables on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, flipping the Democratic vice-presidential candidate's attacks right back at him. Trump, never one to back down from a jab, took questions from swing state voters at the New Holland Arena in an event hosted by Fox News. The evening wasn’t short on fireworks, especially when the topic of Walz came up.
Trump had originally agreed to debate Vice President Kamala Harris on the same day, but the Harris-Walz campaign refused to participate in a Fox News-hosted event. Still, Trump went ahead with his town hall appearance, proving once again he’s willing to take questions from all sides.
Trump’s campaign pointed out that the former president had previously debated President Joe Biden on a left-leaning network earlier this year, making it clear they weren’t avoiding any platform.
The evening took an entertaining turn when moderator Sean Hannity brought up recent criticisms from Tim Walz. Walz, known for his progressive stances and his frequent critiques of Trump and Republican Senator J.D. Vance, has labeled both as “weird” and “creepy.” Trump didn’t miss a beat, turning the label back on the Minnesota governor.
This is Tim Walz's family, sending a message. Photo is 100% real. pic.twitter.com/MLxpiJEE7c
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 4, 2024
“There’s something weird with that guy. He’s a weird guy,” Trump said, to roaring laughter from the crowd. “J.D. is not weird. He’s a solid rock. I happen to be a very solid rock. We’re not weird. We’re other things perhaps, but we’re not weird.”
Trump then took aim at Walz’s controversial policies, particularly his decision to sign a bill mandating the placement of tampons in boys’ school bathrooms—a move that has drawn widespread criticism. Trump also mocked Walz’s public persona, calling attention to what he described as “bizarre mannerisms” on stage. “But he is a weird guy. He walks on the stage, there’s something wrong with that guy. And he called me weird. And then the fake news media picks it up,” Trump quipped, drawing more laughs from the audience.
But perhaps the highlight of the evening came when Trump addressed the unexpected endorsement from Walz’s own family members. Just days prior, Jeff Walz, the Minnesota governor’s brother, publicly denounced his sibling’s candidacy, stating that he was "100% opposed" to Tim Walz’s ideology and believed he was "not somebody who should be in charge" of critical national decisions. Several members of the Walz family from Nebraska had also shown their support for Trump, posing for a photo in matching “Walz’s For Trump” T-shirts, which quickly circulated online.
“I was proud to get that endorsement from his brother,” Trump said with a smile. “And his whole family! I saw the picture. It was a very nice looking family. But his brother endorsed me, and his whole family endorsed me.”
The crowd erupted in cheers as Trump continued to emphasize the significance of the endorsement. In the battle of words, Trump’s sharp counterattacks and his ability to turn criticism into a punchline kept the energy high throughout the night. As the 2024 election heats up, moments like these show how Trump’s quick wit and ability to connect with voters remain central to his campaign strategy.