Controversy and Conversation: The Minds Behind Trenton Orbit Speak Out

We recently sat down with Bill Kearny and Mike Ranallo, co-founders of Trenton Orbit, the Facebook group that’s quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about platforms. Their sharp editorial voice, viral posts, and no-holds-barred commentary have stirred strong reactions—from praise for “saying what others won’t,” to criticism for being too brash, too pointed, or too personal.

Friends Ranallo and Kearney teamed up to fill a newly created void in Trenton when the Facebook group, Fans of Trenton’s Irresponsible Blogger decided to close down after years of being a public forum based on hard-hitting questions and responses to local political issues. Though the two men may have opposite personalities, they can agree on one thing: they are tired of the chaos in the city and demand change.

It was 2020 when Trenton Orbit was created just days after The Irresponsible Blogger page was shut down. “Mike and I saw the opportunity and also saw a growing need for a virtual town square in Trenton,” says Kearney who was the one who came up with the page name. “We came up with a few, but Trenton Orbit worked especially well because our page concept is to discuss everything going on around our city, the regular processes of council, the seasonal budget process. Everything in Trenton’s Orbit.”

The group is open and available to everyone living in Trenton and catches the attention of those who can actually help. Kearney states, “People appreciate that there’s almost always help on Trenton Orbit. I’m especially glad that city workers, directors and even the mayor can see this page daily. And many offer to help before there is ever a problem. They are always welcome to jump in to help, clarify, correct, explain, or communicate.”