KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

Ross: Trump town hall in the books, but does he still have support?

May 11, 2023, 8:12 AM | Updated: 9:01 am

trump town hall...

Supporters of former US President and 2024 Presidential hopeful Donald Trump cheer as his mtorcade drives by outside Manchester airport in Manchester, New Hampshire, on May 10, 2023 ahead of his CNN town hall meeting. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

CNN’s Trump town hall is in the books, and from what I saw, despite the various ordeals he has endured, his self-esteem remains remarkably intact, and he is still 100% on-brand.

He promised to settle the Ukraine war in 24 hours, he has no idea who this “E. Jean Carroll” is, the January 6 crowd was full of good, hard-working people (many of whom he will pardon), and the 2020 election was rigged.

More from Dave Ross: Treat your gun like your cell phone, don’t leave it unsecured

Although I noticed he did not mention Dominion Voting Systems. I think I know why.

CNN, of course, fact-checked his statements, and I encourage you to read the list for yourself. But in case you don’t have the time, I can summarize the results: “misleading,” “not true,” “requires more context,” “this is a lie,” “no evidence,” “this is false,” “this is brazenly false,” “false,” “false,” and “this is patently false.”

Not necessarily in that order.

I happened to catch the focus group of Republicans and Independents interviewed after the town hall. It was an interesting vibe. You hear a little hesitation in the group and a little discomfort about the sexual assault stuff, but also sympathy and plain old confusion.

“You know, I don’t know what’s a lie anymore,” one person in the focus group said.

“I don’t think anybody wants to hear about 2020 at this point, everybody wants to hear about 2024, the future, and what comes after that, and he did not talk enough about that tonight,” another said.

“It’s time to move on from the election,” a woman replied.

“I definitely do think he believes it, and he’s very passionate about it,” another person in the focus group said.

“I think he truly believes it,” one woman said.

“It’s his opinion, and he has a right to have it,” another woman replied.

“I just don’t know how to what to think anymore,” a person said.


I know there were questions about why Trump wanted to appear on CNN — the network he hates most — but based on that last comment, I would have to say, ‘Mission Accomplished.’

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

Follow @https://twitter.com/jcurleyshow...

John Curley Show

‘What a total waste of money!’ Curley blasts Sound Transit’s $240M Pinehurst Station

KIRO Newsradio host John Curley criticized Sound Transit’s new Pinehurst Station, arguing the cost doesn't justify another light rail in North Seattle.

2 hours ago

forehead...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘I didn’t think she bit a chunk off’: Seattle woman whose forehead was bitten by random attacker speaks out

Diana Gonzalez was on a break from work in Seattle when a stranger hurled racial insults, spat on her, and bit a chunk out of her forehead.

13 hours ago

natural gas vote initiative 2066...

John Curley Show

‘Put a bow on the thing’: Curley wants coverage of dismissed complaint against Brandi Kruse

New WA initiative by Let's Go Washington seeks transparency for courts under Public Records Act.

14 hours ago

Seattle copper wire thief bridge...

Gee Scott

Gee: Wait, what?! We’re spending $100,000 to replace $1,000 worth of stolen copper

Somebody steals $1,000 worth of copper — the damage they leave behind can cost the rest of us as much as $100,000.

15 hours ago

Photo: Seattle police investigate after a mass stabbing in the Chinatown-International District. cr...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘The forgotten neighborhood’: Ursula asks if Seattle cares enough to fix crime in the Chinatown International District

Foot traffic in Seattle's Chinatown International District is up 12%, but businesses say public safety is holding them back. Ursula asks if anyone is watching.

22 hours ago

copper wire theft seattle...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Copper wire thieves keep hitting Seattle playfields. Now kids practice football in the dark

Copper wire theft damage runs 50 to 100 times what the stolen metal is worth. Every $1,000 in copper leaves $50,000 to $100,000 in wreckage and repairs behind it.

24 hours ago

Ross: Trump town hall in the books, but does he still have support?