Trump Town Hall becomes an impromptu concert after medical incidents

OAKS, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump’s town hall in suburban Philadelphia turned into an impromptu concert Monday after the former president was twice interrupted by medical emergencies in the room.

The Republican presidential candidate paused during a question-and-answer session as a doctor in the room attended to the first person who had a medical problem. After a second emergency halted the discussion moderated by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump stopped taking questions. He and Noem mentioned that it was hot in the venue, and Trump asked about the air conditioning.

“You probably can’t afford it in this economy, sir,” Noem quipped.

During the first interruption, Trump demanded that “Ave Maria” be played, to which he responded with an instrumental version of the song. In the second incident, he said he meant Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti’s version of the song. A vote was taken immediately.

After Noem announced that the second person had stood up and moved, Trump spoke for a few more minutes before calling for music to be played while many in the crowd lingered, unsure if he had finished speaking.

“These two people who went down are patriots,” Trump said after the music. “We love her. And thanks to them, we ended up making great music, right?”

Trump suggested ending the evening with the audience in their seats and enjoying some music rather than hearing him answer more questions.

He called for the Village People’s YMCA, and it blared through the speakers, the usual signal that Trump had finished his speech and was ready to leave. But he stayed on stage.

More music, more dancing.

“Nobody’s leaving,” Trump said. “What’s up?”

More music played – and it didn’t stop for about 40 minutes.

Trump jumped and shimmied around the stage to an eclectic playlist of songs that included Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Rufus Wainwright’s “Hallelujah” and Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain.”

Many of his followers headed for the exits, but some stayed until the end. The scene was reminiscent of Trump’s winters at Mar-a-Lago, his South Florida estate, where he likes to DJ and hold court with the wealthy members of his private club.

Finally, Trump left the stage as “Memory” from the musical “Cats” played.

Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s national press secretary, posted a photo of Trump from the side of the stage on the social media site X. “DJ TRUMP!” she wrote.

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung wrote down

– Cooper reported from Phoenix.