Trump’s Fiery Rhetoric on Immigration Ignites Arizona Voter Turnout

During a campaign rally held on October 24, 2024, at Mullet Arena in Tempe, former President Donald Trump delivered a meandering speech. While the event aimed to mobilize Republican voters and promote early ballot casting, it was marked more by Trump’s vitriol toward his adversaries than by any clear voting message.

Attacking Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats, the press, and immigrants, Trump emphasized his controversial stance on immigration by proposing severe penalties for those who harm U.S. citizens. This rally was Trump’s fourth in Arizona this year; his last appearance in the state was in August, where he highlighted the endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The rally drew a crowd of fervent supporters, with speakers like Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda urging the audience to embrace early voting. “The people who vote to save this country will be remembered,” she stated. Kari Lake, a Republican Senate candidate who has yet to concede her 2022 election loss, echoed the call to “swamp the vote.”

Contrary to Trump’s previous criticisms of early voting, where he claimed it facilitated electoral fraud, this rally marked a rhetorical shift among Republicans toward advocating early ballots. Lake had previously discouraged early voting during her gubernatorial campaign, but now she emphasized the importance of avoiding long lines on Election Day.

Despite past claims of widespread voting fraud, Republican allies, including Turning Point USA, are actively promoting early voting and mail-in ballots. Attendees at this rally displayed signs of conspiracy theories, with some showcasing QAnon symbols, illustrating the permeation of these beliefs within the event’s atmosphere.

Speakers included Senator Marco Rubio, who expressed confidence in Arizona’s support for Trump, suggesting that it would lead to a significant election victory. Other speakers, like Vivek Ramaswamy, termed the current political climate a “war,” suggesting a violent undertone by drawing parallels to historical uprisings.

Importantly, anti-immigration sentiments dominated the rhetoric. Lake and Stephen Miller, a former senior advisor to Trump, both advocated for aggressive deportation policies. Miller called for the removal of all undocumented immigrants, appealing to the audience with promises of swift action against “criminal migrants.”

Trump’s address comprised numerous unfounded claims about immigration and crime, insisting that the U.S. has become a “dumping ground” and calling immigration a detrimental force. His most controversial statement drew applause when he suggested implementing the death penalty for any immigrant convicted of killing a U.S. citizen.

This rally highlighted the ongoing tension within the Republican Party regarding voting practices and immigration, showcasing a complex interplay of mobilization strategies in anticipation of the upcoming election.