PHOENIX — President-elect Donald Trump made his way to Arizona on Sunday for his first rally since his victory in the November election.
Welcomed by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters, Trump demonstrated his continued popularity among the conservative demographic. During his approximately 75-minute speech, he attempted to reach beyond his loyal base while retaining his familiar assertive style. He notably intensified his rhetoric regarding foreign relations, particularly targeting Panama, and even addressed billionaire Elon Musk. Below are some key highlights from his address:
In a blend of unity and traditional bravado, Trump spoke earnestly for 75 minutes, touching on familiar themes such as the U.S. being “ripped off” while reiterating false claims that he rightfully won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden. Despite the contentious subjects, Trump appeared relaxed, relishing his electoral success, particularly boasting about his gains in the popular vote, a point of pride since he lost the popular vote in the prior two elections. He ventured into the theme of national unity with a nod to the defeated Democrats, stating: “We had no riots. We had no anything. It was a beautiful thing to watch. They just said, ‘We lost.’ And we want to try bringing everybody together. We’re going to try. We’re going to really give it a shot.”
Referring to his tight victory as a landslide, Trump declared, “There’s a spirit that we have now that we didn’t have just a short while ago.”
Expanding his usual America First agenda, Trump directed his focus towards the Panama Canal and the Panamanian government. He implied that he would advocate for regaining control over the canal unless Panama adjusted what he claimed were unfair passage fees. Trump’s comments suggested that the U.S. was being taken advantage of, as he criticized former President Jimmy Carter for “foolishly” relinquishing control of the canal decades ago.
In response, Panama’s newly elected conservative president, José Raúl Mulino, swiftly dismissed Trump’s remarks as an affront to national sovereignty. This incident is part of a series of Trump’s jabs at foreign leaders; he has also made light of Canada’s status, referring to it as a U.S. state and labeling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as simply the “governor.” Supporters appreciate this brash approach, suggesting it serves to gain leverage for the U.S. However, the actual outcomes of such diplomatic stances remain uncertain.
Turning to Musk, Trump dismissed the notion that Musk could be seen as holding power parallel to his own, particularly in light of perceived tensions surrounding future policy. Trump responded to suggestions that he might be overshadowed by Musk, stating, “No, no. That’s not happening. He’s not gonna be president.”
Despite Musk’s significant social media influence that has affected various congressional dealings, including a bi-partisan budget agreement, Trump is keen to maintain his posture as the primary decision-maker.Appointing Musk as co-chair of a quasi-government efficiency commission, Trump appears to value Musk’s input, considering their shared backgrounds.
Interestingly, even as he dove into various policy topics, Trump notably refrained from detailing tariff specifics, a crucial element of his economic platform. His lack of discussion surrounding potential consumer price impacts due to tariffs was evident, as were his omissions regarding the recent budget disagreements taking place in Washington. Although this doesn’t indicate a lack of contemplation on the matter, Trump’s public silence on these key issues was conspicuous.
In closing his address, Trump celebrated the expanded Republican coalition, taking pride in the analysis that highlighted his increased political reach among various demographics. He expressed gratitude to Turning Point and its founder, Charlie Kirk, for their contributions to mobilizing support, particularly within younger, Hispanic, and Black voter groups compared to prior election cycles. “You had Turning Point’s grassroots armies,” Trump emphasized, “It’s not my victory, it’s your victory.”
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