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WATCH: Woman who confronted Joni Ernst at town hall reacts to viral response

By Amie Rivers

June 6, 2025

At a Parkersburg town hall, Senator Joni Ernst faced fierce pushback as she defended the Trump Administration’s cuts to Medicaid. India May was in the audience when she shouted at Ernst that “people will die” if kicked off Medicaid. Ernst responded, “Well, we all are going to die.” The exchange went viral and prompted an equally tone-deaf apology video from Ernst the next day.

On the latest episode of Cornhole Champions, Amie sat down with May to talk Ernst’s response, Iowa’s health care crisis, and May’s campaign for Iowa House in 2026.

Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsJtzmNlfbo&t=3s

  • Amie Rivers

    Amie Rivers is Starting Line's community editor, labor reporter and newsletter snarker-in-chief. Previously, she was an award-winning journalist at the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier; now, she very much enjoys making TikToks and memes. Send all story tips and pet photos to [email protected] and sign up for our newsletter here.

    View all posts

CATEGORIES: POLITICS VIDEO

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POLITICS VIDEO
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WATCH: Iowa becomes first state to strip trans civil rights (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #31

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Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 – Zach’s “Par Excellence” Pun Disaster – Tech Out of There Falls Flat
02:49 – Iowa’s Historic Civil Rights Rollback – First State to Strip Existing Trans Protections
04:00 – The Energy of Hope – Trans Community and Allies Unite at State Capitol
06:30 – Beyond Civil Rights – Birth Certificate Changes and “Gender Theory” Language
08:00 – Project 2025 Playbook – Scapegoating as Fascism Facilitation
10:00 – Hope for the Future – Protests Matter, Continued Advocacy Essential

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WATCH: Trump’s federal cuts target Ottumwa Job Corps site

WATCH: Trump’s federal cuts target Ottumwa Job Corps site

The Trump administration wants to cut Job Corps programs across the country, which will leave a big gap in Ottumwa’s community.

Learn more about it on the latest episode of Cornhole Champions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzECAsvY2wI

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