President Donald Trump delivered a blunt warning to Arizona voters Wednesday night, declaring Democrats would “destroy our country” as he rallied behind Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Andy Biggs with Election Day less than three weeks away. The Bullhead City appearance marked one of Trump’s final campaign stops in the crucial swing state, where Republicans are hoping to reclaim the governor’s mansion and other statewide offices that have increasingly slipped into Democratic hands in recent election cycles.
“They’ll destroy our country,” Trump told the Bullhead City crowd after criticizing Democrats for refusing to stand during his February State of the Union address when he honored veterans and asked lawmakers to affirm America’s duty to protect its own citizens. The president’s criticism reflected a broader Republican messaging strategy emphasizing patriotism and national security themes in the campaign’s final stretch.
“On election night, Arizona is going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it. America belongs to those who love, love, love, love — love it.”
Trump took aim at Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs, calling her a “low IQ individual” as he urged supporters to turn Arizona red from top to bottom. The personal attacks on Hobbs, who has governed Arizona since her narrow victory in the previous election, drew enthusiastic responses from the rally crowd. Biggs, who joined Trump onstage, pointed back to the president’s State of the Union address to underscore the partisan divide that has defined this election season.
“Vote Republican top to bottom,” Biggs told the crowd. “Let’s turn Arizona red.”
Trump seized on a specific moment from the February 24 address when he awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, who was 100 at the time, and recognized World War II veteran George “Buddy” Taggart. The ceremony honoring America’s military heroes had become a flashpoint in the partisan tensions that characterized the evening in the House chamber.
“Not one Democrat smiled or clapped,” Trump said. “And that’s when I looked at them, and I said, ‘You people are crazy.'”
The partisan confrontation Trump referenced came when he 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. The moment had generated significant controversy in the weeks following the State of the Union, with both parties accusing the other of politicizing what should have been a unifying ceremony honoring military veterans.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania separately said he stood to recognize honored guests, including veterans. His statement represented the Democratic counter-narrative that their members had indeed shown respect for military honorees while objecting to what they characterized as politically charged framing of immigration policy.
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. Arizona voters had approved the creation of the lieutenant governor position in a previous ballot measure, making this election historic as the state fills the role for the first time in its history.
The president 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. The secretary of state race has drawn particular attention given Arizona’s role as a battleground state and ongoing debates over election administration that have intensified since the last presidential election.
“You look good. Central casting, actually,” Trump told Kolodin, joking that he looked “a little bit nerdy.” The lighthearted moment provided a brief respite from the evening’s harder-edged political rhetoric.
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. The endorsements reflected Trump’s continued influence over Republican primary and general election candidates throughout the state, with his backing remaining highly sought after by GOP hopefuls.
The rally included a tribute to Charlie Kirk, whom Trump remembered on what he said would have been the conservative activist’s 33rd birthday. The somber moment acknowledged the loss of a prominent figure in conservative politics whose organization had played a significant role in youth voter mobilization efforts.
“A great person, a great man, a great friend of mine.”
The crowd chanted, “Charlie! Charlie!” as Trump honored the late Turning Point USA founder. The enthusiastic response demonstrated Kirk’s enduring influence among the conservative base that filled the rally venue.
Trump offered support to Kirk’s widow, Erika, and their family before turning the remembrance into a call to vote. The transition from memorial tribute to political motivation reflected the rally’s dual purpose of honoring conservative movement figures while driving supporters to the polls.
“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.” The appeal to Kirk’s memory as motivation for voter turnout underscored how Republicans are working to energize their base in the campaign’s closing days.
