Trump rallies Republican base in Arizona, warns tax cuts at stake in midterms

US President Donald Trump traveled to Republican strongholds Wednesday, with 20 days to go before November's midterm elections, seeking to energize his base. He touted the achievements of his second term — including tax cuts and border enforcement — and warned that a Democratic return to power would undo them all.

Speaking at a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Wednesday (local time), Trump said, "If we lose the election, you could lose all of your tax cuts on tips, overtime and Social Security," adding that "they" — meaning the Democrats — "want to get rid of all of those benefits."

He highlighted tighter border controls and a crackdown on drug trafficking as signature accomplishments of his second term, sharpening his attacks on the Democratic Party.

"If the Democrats take power again, they will immediately open the border, sell Arizona to the drug cartels and drive up prices," Trump said.

He then urged Arizona voters to turn out in force on Nov. 3, saying, "If you remember how bad things were three or four years ago, the people of Arizona need to stand up this November and declare that we will never go back to the disaster and devastation that Democratic rule brought."

Trump also leveled sharp criticism at Democratic immigration and social policies.

"They want to open the borders, they want to force transgender surgery on your children, and they want men to compete in women's sports," he said. "We have to win. We have to make sure this never happens again."

He went on to say, "They want to destroy everything we have built."

Trump told the crowd he had cut their taxes, made the economy thrive and helped them earn more money. "All you have to do is vote Republican," he said. "Then you can enjoy all of this and more."

Arizona was one of seven battleground states in the 2024 presidential election, which Trump won with 52.2 percent of the vote statewide.

Mohave County, where Bullhead City is located, was a particularly strong showing for Trump — he captured 77 percent of the vote there.

With many observers predicting Republicans could lose control of not only the House but also the Senate in the midterms, Trump's decision to visit a safe stronghold rather than a competitive district is widely seen as a strategy to consolidate his traditional base and drive up turnout among core supporters.

After holding a rally in Alaska on Wednesday (local time) and spending the night in Las Vegas, Trump moved on from Arizona to Montana to continue his campaign swing.

The Arizona rally was held on an airport runway. Trump stepped off Air Force One, walked to the podium and delivered a speech lasting about one hour and 40 minutes.