President Donald Trump and other political figures spoke Friday at the Build the Red Wall rally, hosted by Turning Point USA in Phoenix.
The rally aimed to create conservative momentum ahead of November's midterm elections. Over 3,000 people filled Dream City Church's Phoenix campus, according to Turning Point, and protesters gathered outside.
Trump also held rallies at the church, which was a place of worship for late TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, in 2020 and 2024. The programming started with a prayer from Tommy Barnett, a pastor of Dream City Church, around noon before figures began speaking.
Trump took the stage shortly before 3 p.m. following an introductory video highlighting his 2024 electoral victory and achievements in his second term. He began his speech by reminiscing on Charlie Kirk's legacy as well as thanking Erika Kirk, TPUSA's CEO and Charlie Kirk's widow, and TPUSA itself.
He went on to announce that Iran has opened the Strait of Hormuz and said it is "ready for business," though the Unites States blockade of the waterway will remain in effect until "transaction with Iran is 100% complete and fully signed."
READ MORE: Demonstrators against war in Iran met by counter-protesters on ASU's Hayden Lawn
Trump also said his first year in the presidency has been the "most successful" of any administration in American history, highlighting his work surrounding immigration, crime, implementing restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender people and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
"We have to win the midterms if all of these things will stay with us forever," Trump said.
Trump criticized those who want to defund border security and praised U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Toward the end of his speech, he urged people to vote in the midterms.
"Generations before us poured their blood, sweat and tears to make America into the most exceptional nation the world has ever known, and today, we are making it more exceptional than ever thought possible, than ever before," Trump said. "With your support in these midterms, we will continue this momentum and achieve total and ultimate victory for America."
Outside the venue, dozens of protesters gathered as early as 9 a.m. along the entrance of the church as attendees filtered in, holding signs and chanting while waiting for Trump's arrival.
Demonstrators chanted throughout the morning, with energy rising as attendees approached the entrance. Many raised their signs and directed chants critical of Trump toward those entering.
READ MORE: Conservatives confront party fractures, protesters at AmericaFest 2025 in Phoenix
Some protesters said they were motivated by frustration with the direction of the country.
"There should be accountability," protester Stephanie Cornelson said. "They want to hold their citizens so accountable for things that honestly are just going backwards that we should be holding the people that are in charge accountable for what they're doing."
Cornelson said current political decisions are "affecting everybody," adding that her rights are "slowly getting taken away" as a woman.
Leonard Clark, an Iraq war veteran, said he attended the protest out of a continued sense of duty.
"My oath should not stop because I'm not serving anymore," Clark said. "I need to do something."
Within the rally, other speakers included Erika Kirk, Republican members of the Arizona congressional delegation and candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Before Trump's speech, Erika Kirk briefly discussed how America has prospered under Trump's leadership and encouraged the audience to fight against those "actively trying to tear this country apart."
READ MORE: Complaint made about TPUSA chapter meeting with Erika Kirk under review by ASU
Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for Arizona governor, spoke about his platform and expressed disapproval of Gov. Katie Hobbs.
"We have a great state, we have a great nation, but we have perhaps the worst governor in America in Katie Hobbs, and that's really saying something when you look around this country," Biggs said.
If elected, Biggs would lower taxes, support small businesses, improve border security and "root out fraud, waste and abuse" in the state, he said. Biggs also mentioned the endorsement he received from Trump and asked for the audience's support to "build the red wall" and "take Arizona back."
Jonathan Coon, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering and president of Turning Point USA at ASU, said the rally went well.
"I'm glad to see we had a huge student turnout, and I'm glad the students got to be that up-close to the president," Coon said. "It was a great opportunity."
He also said it was nice to hear new information firsthand from the president.
Addison Markert, a sophomore studying economics and vice president of TPUSA at ASU, said it was enjoyable getting to talk to other TPUSA chapters that attended and to hear celebratory things about the country in the speeches.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Senna James, Sophia Braccio and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporters at mmart533@asu.edu and msweador@asu.edu and follow @miasweador on X.
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MJ Martinez is a senior reporter at The State Press. She has worked for the paper for 3 semesters, working previously as a SciTech Reporter.
