A lot, and simultaneously not enough, has been said about the bizarre event Donald Trump called a rally on Sunday in Pennsylvania, where a series of medical events among audience members led to a prolonged delay, prompting the Republican nominee for president to spend an awkward and uncomfortable 39 minutes on stage.
After taking four questions from audience members during the town hall, everything stopped but the music. In a sweltering venue as people dropped, Trump joked, “Anybody else wanna faint?” before calling for “Ave Maria” to be played. During the Trump “Music Fest” with Kristi Noem on stage, Trump did something no other politician would do.
After making courtesy handshakes to some of the two dozen or so Super MAGA people on the stage, standing in bleachers, who might’ve asked questions during a normal town hall, and after speaking to an aide at the foot of the stage, Trump did… nothing.
Yeah, sure, he shook and pushed fists and did that “dental floss” thing during the half hour. Occasionally, he tried to interact with Noem, who awkwardly tried to mimic Trump awkward… um…. dance moves(?). But one thing he didn’t do was talk to any of the people who had been chosen to ask questions–his people.
Imagine being stuck in a classroom–that stage was a little larger than a typical chool classroom–with 20 other people, and not saying a word to them. Not asking them where they’re from. Not asking if they have kids. Not asking what political issues they need to have addressed. Hell, you’re in a suburb of Philadelphia: bitch about the Phillies getting booted from the playoffs.
Donald Trump did none of that. He flossed himself. He made faces to the crowd. He would occasionally point and wave. As Kristi Noem tried joining him in a… um… sway, Trump just walked away leaving her looking like that kid on the basketball team everyone leaves hanging for a high-five after the game-winning basket.
The two dozen people on the bleachers just stood there like penned sheep. They went there excited to meet their political idol; they ended up only seeing Trump from behind for a full 30 minutes. He didn’t start a single conversation. He didn’t have anyone bring them water. He didn’t say they could sit down. Hell, he didn’t even try to sell them an NFT or pitch a Truth Social account.
As the people on the bleachers waited for instructions on what to do as the star of the show swayed on stage, Trump completely ignored them. He didn’t care they were there. It perfectly demonstrated his contempt for voters.