President Trump delivered a stark message to Arizona voters Wednesday, warning that Democrats would “destroy our country” as he criticized their behavior during the State of the Union and called on Republicans to turn the state red from top to bottom.
With Election Day less than three weeks away, Trump campaigned in Bullhead City alongside Rep. Andy Biggs, the Republican nominee for governor, and a lineup of GOP candidates. He attacked Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and urged voters to deliver a victory in memory of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“On election night, Arizona is going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it,” Trump told the crowd. “America belongs to those who love, love, love, love — love it.”
Biggs appeared with Trump and revisited the president’s February State of the Union address, accusing congressional Democrats of refusing to stand when Trump questioned their dedication to the American people.
“Vote Republican top to bottom,” Biggs said. “Let’s turn Arizona red.”
Trump embraced the criticism and then focused on lawmakers’ responses to veterans 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.’”
“But that’s what we have,” he added. “They’ll destroy our country.”
Trump’s retelling blended two separate moments from the Feb. 24 address. During the speech, he awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, who was 100 years old at the time, as Trump noted Wednesday.
He also recognized World War II veteran George “Buddy” Taggart.
The partisan dispute over whether lawmakers should stand occurred after Trump asked Congress to affirm that the government’s first responsibility was protecting American citizens rather than illegal immigrants.
Republicans stood while many Democrats remained seated. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania later said he had stood to honor distinguished guests, including veterans.
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Trump also repeatedly targeted Hobbs, whom Biggs is challenging, labeling the governor a “low IQ individual.”
He praised Biggs’ running mate, former state Sen. Sine Kerr, who is running to become Arizona’s first lieutenant governor.
Biggs chose Kerr for the newly established position in July.
Trump urged voters to back Republican secretary of state candidate Alex Kolodin, describing him as “a warrior for election integrity” while criticizing Democratic incumbent Adrian Fontes.
“You look good. Central casting, actually,” Trump told Kolodin, teasing that the candidate looked “a little bit nerdy.”
Trump also recognized Republican Reps. Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh and Eli Crane, referring to Hamadeh and Crane as “warriors.”
He praised congressional candidate Mark Lamb as “a friend of mine” and encouraged Arizona voters to send him to Washington to represent the 5th Congressional District.
The rally included a tribute to Kirk, whom Trump honored 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.”
