Former President Donald Trump held a town hall event in New Hampshire on May 12, 2023, and the reactions from local voters were mixed.
The town hall, held in the town of Salem, was Trump’s first public event in the state since he lost the 2020 election. The event was hosted by Fox News and moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
During the event, Trump spoke about a variety of topics, including the economy, immigration, and his ongoing legal battles. He also took questions from the audience, which consisted of both supporters and detractors.
Some New Hampshire voters who attended the event expressed support for Trump and his policies. “He’s doing a great job,” said one attendee. “He’s the only one who can fix the mess that the Democrats have made.”
Others were less enthusiastic. “I think he’s a disaster,” said another attendee. “He’s only interested in himself and his own interests, not the interests of the American people.”
The town hall event also drew protesters, who demonstrated outside the venue. Some protesters held signs calling for Trump to be impeached or removed from office.
New Hampshire is an important state for both parties in presidential elections. While the state has only four electoral votes, it is seen as a key battleground state, and its primary election is often seen as a bellwether for the rest of the country.
Trump lost New Hampshire in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, and the state has been trending Democratic in recent years. However, some political analysts believe that Trump could still be a formidable candidate in the state in 2024, particularly if he runs as an independent or third-party candidate.
The reactions from New Hampshire voters to Trump’s town hall event suggest that the former president still has a base of support in the state, but that he also faces significant opposition. As the 2024 election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Trump will be able to win back enough support in the state to carry it in the general election.