Rep. Mike Flood faces public backlash in Nebraska town hall

Republican U.S. Representative Mike Flood held a town hall meeting in Columbus, Nebraska, on Tuesday night. Over 200 people packed the auditorium, but many were there to express their anger towards him. The atmosphere quickly turned tense with jeers and boos. Flood, who formerly led the Nebraska Legislature, expected some discontent but found the situation unusual. Columbus is a strong Republican area, supporting Donald Trump in the last election. Concerns centered around potential cuts to government programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Many attendees voiced fears over cuts if President Trump and Elon Musk continue their proposed austerity measures. Musk, an influential advisor to Trump, has called Social Security a "Ponzi scheme," raising alarms among the public. Attendees also brought up various issues, such as the lack of support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia and worries about the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service. Despite the criticism, Flood received praise for attending the event. He is one of the few Republican members who have chosen to meet face-to-face with constituents despite pressure to avoid such engagements. After the meeting, Flood acknowledged the atmosphere. He recognized that many people in his district are upset but believes it is important to hear their concerns.