On Friday, a throng of enthusiastic supporters filled an Arizona megachurch as President Trump took center stage at a Turning Point USA rally. The event aimed to energize Republican voters as the midterm elections loomed on the horizon.
The gathering, aptly named “Build the Red Wall,” took place at Dream City Church in Phoenix. Attendees were quick to dismiss recent criticisms aimed at the president, including those concerning the Iran conflict, soaring oil prices, and a contentious AI-generated image that Trump shared earlier in the week. The image, which many found controversial, depicted Trump in a Jesus-like pose.
Cheryl Rosado, a 44-year-old office administrator, expressed her thoughts on the meme, describing it as “quite distasteful.” Nonetheless, she considered it a misjudged attempt at humor and praised Trump’s overall presidency. “That’s quite distasteful, but the only thing I can say is, I still pray for the president,” she commented. “[He’s] the best president I’ve seen in my lifetime.”
Rosado defended Trump’s stance on Iran and attributed the rising oil prices to local legislation rather than presidential policy.
The controversial meme, which portrayed Trump clad in a red robe and healing the sick under a divine glow, drew criticism even from some of his supporters. This backlash came in the wake of Trump’s public disagreements with Pope Leo regarding the ongoing issues in Iran.
The widely panned meme — which depicts Trump healing a sick person while bathed in divine light and cloaked in a red robe — sparked backlash from even the president’s supporters this week, following his disagreements with Pope Leo over the war in Iran.
The pope said God doesn’t bless those who drop bombs, and called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization if the country’s repressive regime doesn’t strike a peace deal “truly unacceptable.”
Rally-goer Liz Harris, 55, however, said she believes Trump has a grand plan for Iran and oil prices.
“I’m a believer that he is playing 3D chess. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Harris, a real estate broker, said. “[The Iran blockade] is a temporary measure. Nobody likes war. But I’m excited that there’s a strategy. I think all pricing is going to stabilize.”
A committeewoman for the Republican National Committee, Harris donned a red, white and blue sequin jacket to the event.
Other were eager to hear Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, at the event.
Madison Lane, a 23-year-old finance student from Pine Top, said Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10, 2025, has generated new support amongst for the MAGA base.
“It’s definitely brought more awareness. I’ve definitely seen more attention to the movement,” said Lane, who heads her local Young Republican chapter.
Ronda Keith, 71, said she was a huge fan of Kirk before he was killed.
“I was drawn to his ability to talk to people, to listen to people to not judge,” the retiree said, adding that the rally is her first MAGA event.
The movement has a new heightened energy following the conversative activist’s heinous killing, according to Keith.
“It’s gotten a lot bigger,” she said.
