At Mesa rally, Trump talks candidates, border, immigration, jobs and more
Oct 19, 2018, 7:49 PM | Updated: Oct 22, 2018, 9:43 am
(Jessica Suerth/KTAR News)
Mesa, Ariz. — President Donald Trump visited Mesa on Friday to campaign for U.S. Senate hopeful Martha McSally, who joined him on stage, and other Republican candidates.
The rally was held at International Air Response at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Doors opened to the public at 2:30 p.m., more than four hours before the start of the event.
Trump touched on many topics throughout the rally.
Here is a recap of the event:
Trump, with McSally, showed up on Marine One from Luke Air Force Base in the West Valley.
Marine One with President Donald Trump has landed at #TrumpinAZ. pic.twitter.com/l91WkNmU9S
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump started by reminding the crowd, “we are finally putting America first,” before the mention of his recent Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh.
Loud cheers break out when Trump mentions Brett Kavanaugh.
"What Democrats did to Brett Kavanaugh and his family is a national disgrace."
This is a rally to campaign for Martha McSally.
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Chants of “USA! USA! USA!” broke out when Trump used a phrase that has become popular this week.
Trump: "The choice for every American could not be more clear than it is right now: Democrats produce mobs, Republicans produce jobs."
Chants of "USA" break out.
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a possible 2020 presidential candidate running for a second six-year term in the Senate, defended her decision to release DNA test results this week that provide some evidence a Native American is in her bloodline.
Warren released the tests in part to counter Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Warren’s claims of Native American heritage, calling her “Pocahontas.” Warren also said she released the tests for the same reason that she put 10 years of her tax returns online and released her hiring records from her career as a law professor.
Trump: "We can no longer say Pocahontas because she has no Indian," referring to Elizabeth Warren.
"I can't use the word Pocahontas anymore. I have more Indian blood than she has and I have none."
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
The southern border of Arizona. Trump talked about it in all three of his public appearances in Arizona on Friday.
Trump: "Democrats want to throw your borders wide open to deadly drugs and ruthless gangs. Come on in everyone!"
Chants of "build the wall" break out.
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump says he wants to build the U.S.-Mexico border "all at once, all in one year."
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump: "You think they're all wonderful people? You have some bad people in those groups…and your country doesn't want them," referring to the media.
Crowd starts booing the media pen.
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
McSally then took the stage and was handed the microphone. She is in a hotly contested race with Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and is fresh off the only debate they have scheduled.
Her remarks can be watched on the KTAR News Facebook page.
Trump: "You deserve a senator who loves this state and will never let you down."
Says Sinema is a "far left extremist" who is being protected by the "fake news back there."
Another round of boos toward the media pen.
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump: "A vote for Kyrsten Sinema is a wasted vote but more importantly it's a dangerous vote" for Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters.
A vote for Martha McSally will "be the second greatest vote you ever cast. The first vote is me!"
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump: "Remember they said 'He won't do well with women.' Did we do well with women?"
Also says "we're doing well with Hispanic Americans," adding that they want to protect the U.S. border. #TrumpinAZ
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
His immigration plans include allowing people that have been vetted.
Trump gets cheers from the crowd when he says "we're only going to let people in based off merit."
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump gets cheers from the crowd when he says "we're only going to let people in based off merit."
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump says people coming across the border will vote Democrat.
"That's why Democrats support programs like catch-and-release."
"Give (immigrants) their driver's license, then let's buy them a car."
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
Trump says "thousands" of MS-13 members are in the United States. "Get them the hell out."
"A Democrat victory in November would be a bright, flashing invitation to every" dealer, gang member, etc.
"This is your choice in November. I don't think you have a choice."
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
President Donald Trump closes his rally in Mesa with his catch phrase: “Make America Great Again.” #TrumpinAZ pic.twitter.com/eQsdvVNKjS
— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jessica Suerth contributed to this report.