Rep. Ralph Norman began a town hall event at OneSpartanburg on Friday by effusively praising Elon Musk, the billionaire appointed by President Donald Trump to lead his new administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Norman claimed that DOGE is uncovering massive amounts of fraud, which DOGE critics dispute, and that Musk “is the only man who could do that.”
Norman continued, “If you haven’t read his biography, you should. “He is a genius.”
Along with his admiration for Musk’s abilities, Norman promised that DOGE recommendations, cuts under consideration by Congress, and import tariffs imposed by Trump would have a significant impact on South Carolina.
“There will be a shock,” predicted Norman, a Republican from Rock Hill. He represents South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Union, Cherokee, and much of northern Spartanburg County.
While Norman stated that reducing inflation is a top priority, he added that “tariffs will affect everyone in this room. “They will have an impact on prices.”
Nonetheless, he believes Trump will use tariffs, or the threat of tariffs, to gain better trade deals and address issues such as immigration control.
Norman said that government agencies and major spending areas like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security will be scrutinized.
He stated, however, that while Republicans are determined to eliminate waste and abuse, constituents with legitimate needs should not be concerned.
“There’s not going to be cuts in Social Security,” said the politician.
Sherry Mariable, a job coach at McCarthy Teszler School, was not reassured by Norman’s comments. “It was double-talk,” she said.
McCarthy Teszler serves special needs students from across Spartanburg County, and Mariable is concerned about how cuts to education funding and Trump’s proposed elimination of the federal Department of Education will affect vulnerable young people and their families.
Norman, who has children who work in special education, stated that he will advocate for students with disabilities.
However, Norman stated that DOGE intends to focus on public education. Critics claim Musk’s approach to waste reduction has resulted in the layoff of dedicated public servants as well as cuts or freezes in critical government services.
He also expressed his support for the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at all levels of education.
Mariable believes DEI initiatives can be beneficial for the students she serves. When businesses or government entities collaborate with McCarthy Teszler to train and hire its students as workers, this “can fall under the blanket” of DEI, she explained.
Overall, Mariable stated, “We are concerned – teachers are afraid.”
Norman’s visit was part of the OneSpartanburg “Caffeinated Conversations” series.
There were approximately 40 people in attendance. The mood at the event was calm, in contrast to a Friday town hall in Georgia, where constituents became boisterous in their disapproval of the Trump administration’s aggressive approach.
Norman fielded some tough questions about education and the social impacts of DOGE cuts, as well as questions from attendees who appeared to support Trump’s agenda.
In response to questions about energy and tax policy, he praised Trump’s plans to increase domestic energy production and said he believes Republicans will be successful in making tax cuts passed during Trump’s first term permanent.
