Trump draws thousands in Phoenix, continues immigration theme
CNN Politics
Two dozen supporters
stood behind the Republican presidential candidate holding signs
reading, "Trump, Make America Great Again," while an estimated 5,000
supporters looked on.
Expressing his
amazement at the size of the crowd, Trump said, "This is unbelievable.
This began as 500 people in a ballroom in Phoenix."
The
campaign was asked to move to a larger venue to accommodate the
thousands of people who wanted tickets, according to Trump spokeswoman
Hope Hicks.
The Trump campaign said
15,000 tickets were distributed for the event at the Phoenix Convention
Center, where the North Ballroom has a capacity of only 4,200, according
to the facility's website. The campaign said thousands were turned away
because of fire regulations.
The
candidate was welcomed by several high-profile supporters, including
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose stands against illegal
immigration and often controversial punishments have earned him a reputation as a hard-nosed, unyielding lawman.
During
his speech, Trump turned the lectern over to Jamiel Shaw Sr., the
father of a high school student killed by an undocumented immigrant, who
spoke about why he is supporting the candidate.
Although
campaign aides said earlier Saturday that Shaw was going to introduce
the candidate, he ended up speaking midway through the speech.
Shaw's son, a high school football star, was shot and killed in Los Angeles in 2008 by a gang member born in Mexico. On Friday,
Trump met in Los Angeles with Shaw and other family members of victims
of crimes perpetrated by undocumented immigrants. He then gave a lengthy
press conference in which he consistently railed against illegal
immigration. Saturday's speech was filled with similar words.
Playing to the crowd, Trump dug in on the
controversial themes that have made him loved by some and despised by
others. As he mentioned earlier in the day at a Las Vegas campaign
rally, Trump claimed China is laughing at U.S. trade negotiations. "They
have geniuses and we have people who don't have a clue. We have stupid
leaders," he said.
Trump, who
announced his White House campaign bid last month, sparked national
outrage by saying that some people crossing the border into the United
States from Mexico were "rapists" and "criminals." A slew of
corporations, including Macy's, NBC and ESPN, responded to his
inflammatory remarks by severing business ties with the real estate
magnate.
"I love the Mexican people,"
he said. "I love their spirit. I respect Mexico as a country. Their
leaders are much sharper and smarter than ours."
But, Trump said, "They're killing us at the border and killing us in trade."
rump also promised to release financial
documents next week that will show he is an even more successful
businessman than has been reported.
"I'm not saying that to brag," he said.
A
short protest broke out during the speech. Some protesters held up a
banner and Trump supporters started screaming at them. It was unclear
what the banner read.
There was a brief scuffle and for a few minutes it was very tense. Security came and escorted the protesters out.
"I wonder if the Mexican government sent them over here," Trump said.
"Don't worry, we'll take our country back," he said, as the crowd cheered.
'He can inspire a crowd'
Robert
Bowater said he came to see Trump in Phoenix because he thinks the
issues of illegal immigration and sanctuary cities deserve more
attention.
Bowater, a 68-year-old
resident of Pinal County, Arizona, said he doesn't expect any President
to deport all undocumented immigrants, but he thinks more can be done to
punish the ones who commit crimes in the United States.
"I'd like to see a mass deportation of the criminals," Bowater said.
Just
as Bowater was saying he thought it was possible that Trump could win
the presidency, Linda Murtha -- standing behind him -- couldn't help but
shake her head.
"He can't win," said Murtha, a Chandler resident in her early 40s, but "he definitely can inspire a crowd."
She
came to the event with her mother, Provi Murtha, who was interested in
seeing "The Donald" in person. Like her daughter, Provi is skeptical of
Trump's intentions. She noted that he's donated to Democrats, including
Hillary Clinton.
"Is he a Democrat? Is
he a Republican? What is he?" Provi wondered aloud. Even though she came
to see the event, "I'm not going to make up my mind to vote for Donald
Trump, that's for sure."
Both Provi and Linda Murtha said they like Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Trump doubles down -- again
Trump doubled down once more on comments that have ignited a controversy in the United States
Illegal immigration is "a major, major problem in this country" that has to be solved, Trump said.
Promising to secure U.S. borders with a
impenetrable fence, Trump claimed undocumented immigrants are coming to
the United States from all over the world. "This isn't just Mexico," he
said. "They're coming from the Middle East, and we better be very
careful," Trump warned.
And the
support that he is receiving from Shaw and others demonstrates that the
businessman's message is appealing to some voters who view illegal
immigration as a serious problem.
On
the subject of trade, Trump was blunt with his opinion of U.S. trade
negotiators, "Chinese leaders are much smarter than (President Barack)
Obama and his bunch of clowns," he said to laughter and applause from
crowd. "I make good deals. I have great respect for China. Their leaders are too smart for our leaders," he said.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/11/politics/donald-trump-phoenix-rally/index.html