Trump dismisses GOP town hall backlash as result of ‘paid troublemakers’

President Trump on Monday shrugged off the outcry from voters at recent town halls with Republican members of Congress, attributing the backlash to “paid ‘troublemakers.’”

“Paid ‘troublemakers’ are attending Republican Town Hall Meetings. It is all part of the game for the Democrats, but just like our big LANDSLIDE ELECTION, it’s not going to work for them!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump’s post followed a series of town hall events during the congressional recess in which Republican lawmakers faced angry crowds, particularly over the Trump administration’s push to slash thousands of government jobs.

The New York Times reported that Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) faced a slew of frustrated comments from constituents about Trump’s agenda.

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) was specifically challenged at an event last month about topics such as Medicaid and Social Security cuts, according to Wisconsin Public Radio, as well as Elon Musk’s seemingly unchecked power as he leads efforts to shrink the government.

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) faced tough questions about government layoffs at a town hall meeting last month. McCormick’s district is not far from the headquarters for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Like Trump, some top Republicans have largely dismissed the scenes as the result of Democratic agitators who flooded the GOP events. While some Democratic groups have encouraged activists to attend the town halls to protest, lawmakers have acknowledged at least some of the attendees are their constituents, and there is no evidence any attendees were paid.

A CNN poll published Sunday found 52 percent of voters disapprove of Trump’s performance in office after roughly six weeks, while 48 percent approve. Trump is set to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.