Nebraska Republican Triggers 'Tax The Rich' Chants At Own Town Hall After Expressing Support For Elon Musk

Republican Rep. Mike Flood was heavily criticized while holding his first town hall since Donald Trump took office, with attendees erupting in "tax the rich" chants as they voiced concern over the potential slashing of programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security services.

Local outlets reported that most of the 200 attendees voiced their displeasure with some actions carried out by the Trump administration, especially Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The event got heated especially after Flood highlighted the "need to go to a balanced budget" when replying to a question about cuts to the National Institutes of Health. The statement catalyzed heckling from the audience, which later erupted in "tax the rich" chants.

Nebraska Public Media highlighted that Platte County, where the event was held, voted overwhelmingly for Republicans last year, with Trump getting over three quarters of all votes cast.

Trump has repeatedly said he will not cut the mentioned programs, but Musk has called Social Security "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" and hinted at the possibility of effectively slashing the program.

Flood, however, was commended for showing up to hear constituents' concerns, considering many have avoided such encounters due to fierce criticism. In fact, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is reportedly targeting nine vulnerable House Republicans with a billboard campaign highlighting their reluctance to appear in public in their territories.

The billboards say the lawmakers "won't talk to his/her constituents" and includes their phone number, urging people to call them and demand they hold town halls. Among those targeted are Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (Florida) and Juan Ciscomani (Arizona). "If Republicans won't show up, then Democrats will," said DNC Chair Ken Martin.

The episode comes just days after Rep. Chuck Edwards also faced criticism during a town hall in Asheville, North Carolina. Audience members quickly erupted into boos and jeers as Edwards began to express his support for the House Budget Resolution that has been promoted repeatedly by Speaker Mike Johnson.

"The time is now to fix how Washington works," Edwards began. "To that end, I was proud to vote recently for the House budget resolution which provides for a framework—"

Edwards was then cut off by the vitriol coming from the crowd. "And you wonder why folks don't want to do these town halls," Edwards commented.