Several people who attended the SHM expressed their discontent with JT's performance "at the meeting".

So he had a bad meeting and needs some work on how to communicate and present himself at a SHM.   No need to get upset about it or call it a conspiracy - people just calling it like they saw it/ heard it. 

 "I find it interesting that if someone is intelligent and has a sense of humor, it bothers some people. Mainly people who don't."

Making jokes about a very serious natural disaster that is causing people to evacuate and lose their homes is very bad form.  That's why no one laughed and Pohl had to step in to rescue him.  He should have commended everyone who showed up for the meeting and encouraged everyone to pray the victims of the fire.  I'm sure he'll learn from that mis-step.