Donald Trump’s handlers are encouraging him to participate in smaller, more intimate town hall-style forums as part of his campaign strategy. They see this as an opportunity to close the gender gap, especially since Trump is facing Vice President Kamala Harris, who would be the first woman and woman of color to be elected president. Six of the town halls hosted by Trump’s campaign have had prominent women in politics and media as moderators. This is a deliberate move to show a softer side of Trump and make him more relatable to women voters.
Trump has partnered with high-profile females like Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Govs. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kristi Noem, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for these town halls. While the strategy seems to be working, there are concerns about whether it will be enough to sway women voters, especially since Trump’s behavior and rhetoric have often alienated women in the past. The choice of friendly moderators and an all-Republican audience ensure that Trump does not face tough questions during these events.
Despite some awkward moments and criticisms, Trump has come to appreciate the town hall format and its potential appeal to women voters. The moderators try to steer the conversation towards topics that resonate with women, such as healthcare and family issues. Overall, the campaign believes that these town halls are a more effective way to reach a broader audience than the traditional arena rallies that Trump prefers.
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