Trump celebrates Arizona leaders, touts achievements at Phoenix rally

PHOENIX — President Donald Trump addressed supporters in Phoenix for the first time since October 2018.

Speaking to a full house at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the president focused primarily on the achievements of his first term, along with promoting his Republican allies in the Grand Canyon State.

Trump began the rally by addressing the stakes in the upcoming November election.

Among the first words out of Trump’s mouth: “With your help this November, we are going to defeat the radical, socialist Democrats and we are going to win Arizona in a landslide.”

“This is truly an incredible time for America,” he observed.

“We have the best economy… The most prosperous country that we’ve ever had and the most powerful military anywhere in the world by far.”

Celebrating his victory over impeachment and multiple investigations, Trump boasted: “Our poll numbers are higher today than they’ve ever been before.”

Recalling his election night victory in 2016, the president predicted “another beautiful night in November,” despite the onslaught from the “fake news.”

“If I was treated fairly by the fake news… We’d be up by 20 points higher in the polls. There wouldn’t even be a competitive election.”

Trump downplayed any threat from whomever emerges as the Democratic Party nominee, insisting that his achievements of “killing terrorists, creating jobs, raising wages, enacting fair trade deals, securing our border and lifting up citizens of every race, color, religion and creed” would ensure victory.

President Trump then turned his focus to Arizona’s political leaders and local issues.

“We’re thrilled to be joined tonight by some of the best, greatest… Leaders in America… Arizona leaders…”

It was then that the president welcomed Gov. Doug Ducey, Republican U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, David Schweikert, and Debbie Lesko to the stage.

Trump gave Lesko special praise for her role in opposing the Democratic Party’s impeachment effort.

“A big, big star… She became this monster star… She looked with such indignation at the other side… such disgust,” Trump said of Arizona’s 8th congressional district representative.

After being asked by Trump to speak, Ducey addressed the president and the crowd:

“Mr. President: we are going to keep Arizona red in 2020. We are going to return President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to the White House. We are going to return Martha McSally to the United States Senate and we are going to keep our Republican majorities in our congressional delegation and our state chambers.

“Mr. President — thank you for what you have done for the cause of life, for what you have done for our economy and for reducing regulations, and for what you have done for the United States Supreme Court,” Ducey continued.

Prompting cheers from the crowd, Ducey wrapped up his remarks by declaring: “We’re looking forward to working with you for four more years.”

Trump also praised Sen. Martha McSally and her steadfast support during the impeachment trial.

“Shes working with me to strengthen our military still further and lower your prescription drug prices.”

McSally’s Democrat opponent for the United States Senate Mark Kelly, then came under harsh criticism from the president.

“Her opponent… A guy named Mark Kelly… Even the Democrats don’t like him much.”

Trump then hammered Kelly as someone who “wants to raise your taxes, open your borders, give away free healthcare to illegal immigrants and he wants to obliterate your Second Amendment.”

The president then sought to sour Arizonans on Kelly by associating him with some of the biggest names in the Democratic Party.

“The radical liberal Democrats from California and Massachusetts… They’re pouring money into Kelly’s campaign,” Trump claimed.

“They know he’s a rubber stamp for ‘Cryin’ Chuck Schumer and ‘Nervous’ Nancy… ‘Wacko’ Pelosi.”

It is Kelly’s prospective support of Schumer and Pelosi that has caused Trump to give McSally his “complete and total support and endorsement.”

Taking Trump’s place at the podium, McSally then took aim at the media.

“I have have a message for the liberal hack media in the back: Arizona is going to vote in November to keep America great and send President Trump back to the White House.”

McSally then criticized Kelly for supporting Trump’s removal from office, claiming her Democratic opponent is “flying on Bernie Sanders’ wing.”

Following McSally’s remarks, Trump implored the crowd: “Whatever you can do for Martha… We need her.”

Continuing his focus on Arizona matters, Trump shifted gears to the economy, claiming Arizona’s successes mirrored those of the country as a whole.

“You’ve had the best year… The most successful year that you’ve ever had in the history of the country,” Trump celebrated.

“Unemployment has reached its lowest rate in over 51 years… The average unemployment rate for my administration… Is the lowest for any U.S. president in recorded history.”

Trump then touted the ramifications of his economic policies on minority communities, saying that “African-American and Hispanic-American poverty has plummeted to the lowest rate ever recorded.”

The president then began winding down his rally with what many regard as his signature issue.

Trump told the crowd that Washington Democrats have thoroughly sold them out on immigration, but insisted that the border is being “clogged” through the construction of “the big wall.”

“Washington Democrats put the needs of illegal immigrants before the well-being of American citizens,” he continued.

“They want to let anyone from around the world simply walk across the border, and then they want to give them a lifetime of free welfare, healthcare… Everything,” the president warned.

As the rally entered its final phase, Trump encouraged the crowd to proceed united in their values in the lead-up to the 2020 November election.

“The fact is we are one movement, one people, one family and one glorious nation under God,” Trump said before making his closing remarks.

“Ladies and gentlemen of Arizona: the best is yet to come.”

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