Navigating the new political landscape: issues management at a Trump-era town hall

Research methodology This case was developed using secondary sources, including online news outlets, academic databases and academic textbooks. Case overview/synopsis In the wake of sweeping federal job cuts under President Trump’s second term, Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas faced unexpected backlash at a town hall in the rural stronghold of Oakley. His attempt to control the discussion unraveled as constituents – many of whom had been affected by the Department of Government Efficiency layoffs – pushed back, leading to an early exit that went viral on social media.Marshall’s Chief of Staff, Brent Robertson, and Communications Director, Emily Flower, were tasked with managing the fallout while maintaining the senator’s political standing. With national media amplifying the incident and stakeholders expressing frustration, they faced an urgent decision: how should they respond? Should they acknowledge missteps, issue an apology or reframe the narrative through policy commitments? Each choice carried potential consequences, from appeasing supporters to alienating key voter blocs.Students are challenged to analyze the evolving political and media landscape, conduct an environmental scan to assess reputational risks, craft an issue-specific response strategy and critically evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches. Drawing on corporate and political crisis communication strategies, the case immerses students in a high-stakes communication dilemma with no easy answers. Complexity academic level This case is designed for upper-level undergraduate strategic communication students, particularly those in courses that dedicate time to strategic issues management. It should be taught after students have been introduced to concepts related to stakeholder theory and corporate communication and reputation management so that they can integrate those foundational concepts into the activity and discussion.