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President Donald Trump brought a blunt warning to Arizona voters Wednesday, declaring Democrats would “destroy our country” as he blasted their State of the Union conduct and urged supporters to turn the state red from top to bottom.
With Election Day less than three weeks away, Trump rallied behind Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Andy Biggs and a slate of GOP candidates during a campaign stop in Bullhead City, taking aim at Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs and calling for a victory in honor of Charlie Kirk.
“On election night, Arizona is going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it,” Trump said. “America belongs to those who love, love, love, love — love it.”
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President Donald Trump addresses supporters in Bullhead City, Ariz., Wednesday, urging voters to elect Republicans up and down the ballot. (Kent Nishimura / AFP via Getty Images)
Biggs joined Trump onstage and pointed back to the president’s February State of the Union address to Congress, accusing Democrats of refusing to stand when Trump challenged lawmakers about their commitment to Americans.
“Vote Republican top to bottom,” Biggs told the crowd. “Let’s turn Arizona red.”
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Trump seized on the criticism, shifting to lawmakers’ reactions to a veteran honored during the speech.
“Not one Democrat smiled or clapped,” Trump said. “And that’s when I looked at them and I said, ‘You people are crazy.’”
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., as he takes the stage to speak during a campaign rally at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport on Wednesday in Bullhead City, Ariz. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“But that’s what we have,” he continued. “They’ll destroy our country.”
Trump’s account combined separate moments from the Feb. 24 address. He awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, who was 100 at the time, as Trump recalled Wednesday. He also recognized World War II veteran George “Buddy” Taggart.
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Ret. Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams acknowledges applause after receiving the Medal of Honor as Barron Trump and first lady Melania Trump look on during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 24, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images, File)
The partisan stand-or-sit confrontation came when Trump asked lawmakers to affirm that the government’s first duty was to protect American citizens rather than illegal immigrants.
Republicans rose while many Democrats remained seated. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania separately said he stood to recognize honored guests, including veterans.
On Wednesday, Trump also aimed repeated personal attacks at Hobbs, who Biggs is seeking to unseat, calling her a “low IQ individual.”
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Supporters cheer as President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Ariz. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Trump praised Biggs’ running mate, former state Sen. Sine Kerr, who is seeking to become Arizona’s first lieutenant governor.
Biggs selected Kerr in July for the newly created office.
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Trump also urged supporters to elect Republican secretary of state candidate Alex Kolodin, calling him “a warrior for election integrity” as he attacked Democratic incumbent Adrian Fontes.
“You look good, central casting, actually,” Trump told Kolodin, joking that he looked “a little bit nerdy.”
Trump gave shoutouts to Republican Reps. Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh and Eli Crane, describing Hamadeh and Crane as “warriors.” He also praised congressional candidate Mark Lamb, calling him “a friend of mine” and urging voters to send him to Washington to represent Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.
President Donald Trump with Charlie Kirk at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Dec. 22, 2024. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images, File)
The rally also included a tribute to Kirk, whom Trump remembered on what he said would have been the conservative activist’s 33rd birthday.
“A great person, a great man, a great friend of mine,” Trump said as the crowd chanted, “Charlie! Charlie!”
Trump offered support to Kirk’s widow, Erika, and their family before turning the remembrance into a call to vote.
“In Charlie’s honor, we want you to go out and vote,” Trump said. “He’d be out there fighting like nobody else. So let’s have a big victory in honor of Charlie Kirk.”
