Hostile crowd shreds Nebraska rep during town hall as crowd boos Trump’s policies

WorldPolitics
9 Jul 2026 • 1:14 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Hostile crowd shreds Nebraska rep during town hall as crowd boos Trump’s policies

Republican Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska fended off questions and comments from critical constituents Tuesday evening, in his latest town hall that drew boos and jeers from audience members.

Nebraskans who attended the town hall in Bellevue, a city located outside of Omaha, shouted at Flood when he promoted President Donald Trump’s signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill, or justified cuts to benefit programs such as food stamps.

At one point, Flood began a sentence: “Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, we protected –.” But was quickly cut off by boos.

Though Flood faced general criticisms, some audience members applauded when his answers contained statements that broke from the administration’s stances, for example, when he confirmed the 14th Amendment gave anyone the right to birthright citizenship.

Tuesday’s town hall was not unlike others. Flood, 51, has developed somewhat of a reputation for hosting tense town halls throughout his congressional district.

In May, he was similarly met with backlash for defending some of Trump’s policies. One audience member who asked a question accused Flood of making things “unaffordable” for Nebraskans.

Last year, in March 2025, angry members of the audience in Columbus, Nebraska, shouted at Flood while he tried to answer questions. In August 2025, residents of Lincoln, Nebraska, chanted “tax the rich” and “free Palestine” while Flood was trying to speak.

During his latest town hall, audience members appeared particularly unreceptive to Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed last July.

When asked how he was providing benefits to people living with disabilities, Flood claimed adding eligibility requirements to Medicaid, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, would allow the most vulnerable people more benefits.

But in between Flood’s sentences, audience members jeered him, booing the passage of the bill and its contents.

Floor also argued that adding eligibility requirements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the food stamp program, was necessary to rein in spending. However, audience members disagreed, shouting “boo” at Flood.

Flood has consistently hosted town halls in Nebraska, despite many audience members jeering and booing him during the events (Getty)

Later, when a constituent got up to ask a question, he offered Flood a piece of advice: “I think you need to read the room. There’s not a lot of love for the Big Beautiful Bill in this room.”

Flood, elected in 2022, has consistently held town halls despite the confrontational stance of his audience.

In the past, the lawmaker has pointed out that he does not agree with Trump on everything. For example, during his May town hall, Flood condemned the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” from the Justice Department.

He reiterated that point to constituents Tuesday, but also defended the president.

“President Trump is unconventional. Very unconventional. But I will say this – he has been the same guy since the day he walked on that stage in 2014,” Flood said to jeers.

The Nebraska lawmaker then listed several policies he believes the president has helped the country improve on, including safety, crime, taxes, affordability, housing and more.

“Liar!” one audience member shouted as others booed.

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