policy
OAKS, Pa. – The town hall, moderated by South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem (right), began with questions from pre-selected attendees for the previous president. Donald Trump gave convoluted answers about how he would address housing affordability and help small businesses. But things took a sudden turn after two participants needed medical attention.
And so Trump took a special approach after jokingly asking the gang if “anyone else would like to faint.”
“Let’s not ask any more questions. Let's just listen to music. Let's make music out of it. “Who the hell wants to hear questions, right?” he said.
For 39 minutes, Trump swayed and bounced – sometimes pausing to talk – as he almost turned the event right into a front room listening session of his favorite songs from his self-curated rally playlist.
He played nine titles. He danced. He shook hands with the people on stage. He pointed to the gang. Noem stood next to him, nodding with folded hands. Trump remained standing on the stage and slowly moved backwards and forwards. He finished answering the evening's questions.
“Total lovefest at the PA City Hall! “Everyone was so excited they passed out so @realDonaldTrump turned to music,” campaign spokesman Steven Cheung wrote on X. “No one wanted to go and hear more songs from the famous DJT Spotify playlist!”
Trump has long been obsessed together with his playlist, and aides have often described him DJing privately on his campaign plane or on the patio of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. He has also angered music artists – similar to Celine Dion – who’ve called on him to stop playing their music at his campaign rallies.
As Trump stood on stage in his oversized suit and brilliant red tie, swaying backwards and forwards, it was almost as if he was taking a visit back to many years past. Trump's decision to chop the question-and-answer portion of the town hall and as a substitute allow the gang to hearken to his favorite songs was a somewhat bizarre move, considering the election was just 22 days away. Vice President Kamala Harris has described the 78-year-old Trump as unstable and questioned his mental capability.
Some in the gang began to depart. Some looked around, wondering if he was done talking for the evening and the way long the dance or sway session would last. Many held their cameras and watched as Trump recorded the music, sometimes a screen next to him that showed videos of James Brown singing “It's a Man's Man's Man's World” and Sinéad O 'Connor, who performed “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
The evening took a special turn when a person in the gang appeared to faint. Trump interrupted his remarks. Those in attendance fanned the person and started singing “God Bless America.” As the person waited for medical attention, Trump mused, “While we wait. So we had a beautiful evening. And I don't know if they may finish this song quickly, but when they may work really quickly backstage while we wait. 'Ave Maria' song began to play.
Trump then continued. Minutes later, one other participant required medical attention. Trump stopped again. “Take your time, doctor,” he said, and “Ave Maria” began to play again. Trump then quipped to the gang: “Does anyone else want to faint?” Please raise your hand. Let’s do it now.”
Trump then pointed to a graph of immigration statistics that he said saved his life: “My favorite graph of all time. And let’s listen to Pavarotti singing “Ave Maria.” They gave me the 'Ave Maria' with no voice.” He then pointed to a Gold Star couple whose son was lost in battle and said, “This is on your boy, arise.”
He briefly spoke again in regards to the election and the importance of the victory in Pennsylvania. After giving Trump the chance to shut “with a specific song” or answer “two more quick questions,” Noem turned to certainly one of his advisers: “So Justin, how about some really beautiful women and we'll bet.” “Let’s go and relax.”
It was time to listen to Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye.” After listening to James Brown, Trump began speaking again, as if remembering that he was still at an event billed as a town hall.
“This is the most important election in the history of our country,” Trump said, again accusing Democrats of weaponizing elections. But then he turned back to his music.
“These two people who went down are patriots and we love them and because of them we ended up making good music, right?” he asked. “So play 'YMCA!' Continue. Let’s go loud!”
“Let’s go, everyone,” Noem interjected.
The crowd cheered and danced to the Nineteen Seventies song “Village People,” which celebrates gay cruise culture. Noem raised her hands in the form of a “Y.” When the song ended, Trump mouthed the words: “Nobody's going away.”
“No one leaves. What's up? Nobody is leaving. Carry on,” he said, as Rufus Wainwright’s version of “Hallelujah” played next. “Alright, turn up the music! Turn that up. Great song!”
Then it was “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor. “An American Trilogy” by Elvis Presley. Rich Men North of Richmond by Oliver Anthony. Trump stood there and swayed.
When Guns N' Roses' “November Rain” played, he left the stage. On the best way out, he spoke to those in attendance while “Memory” from the musical “Cats” played within the background.
image credit : www.boston.com