Former President Donald Trump’s rally in Phoenix last weekend drew over 15,000 supporters, marking his first major public appearance since Republicans’ disappointing midterm results. The gathering at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum came just days before the Republican National Committee’s winter strategy meeting in Palm Beach.
I arrived early, watching the crowd form under the desert sun. Attendees wore a mix of familiar red caps and newer merchandise featuring “2026 Takeback” slogans. Trump’s 90-minute speech centered on what he called “rebuilding the movement” rather than his usual grievances about the 2024 election.
“We’re not looking backward anymore,” Trump declared to thunderous applause. “The radical left wants us trapped in yesterday’s battles while they destroy tomorrow’s America.”
According to polling data from the Pew Research Center, Republican voters remain divided on the party’s direction. Nearly 57% support Trump’s continued leadership, while 38% believe new voices should emerge before the next election cycle.
Phoenix resident Maria Hernandez, attending her fourth Trump rally, told me the energy felt different. “There’s less anger and more focus on what happens next,” she said, adjusting her “Make America Great Again” hat. “People are tired of losing and want a plan.”
The rally featured notable absences. Several prominent Arizona Republicans, including Governor Katie Hobbs and newly elected Senator Ruben Gallego, declined invitations. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who recently switched her party affiliation to Republican, cited scheduling conflicts but issued a statement supporting “constructive political dialogue.”
Trump devoted substantial time to economic themes, particularly inflation. “American families are paying $843 more each month for the same goods compared to four years ago,” he claimed. While slightly exaggerated, Bureau of Labor Statistics data confirms the average household faces approximately $725 in additional monthly costs since 2021.
Republican strategist Michael Steele, former RNC chairman, views the Phoenix rally as a calculated move. “Arizona remains ground zero for the party’s identity crisis,” he explained in a phone interview yesterday. “Trump’s choosing Phoenix signals he’s not ceding control of the narrative before next week’s meetings.”
The rally occurred amid growing tensions within Republican leadership. Internal polling obtained from three GOP congressional offices indicates voters under 40 increasingly view the party as “obstructionist” and “lacking solutions.” This data will likely influence discussions at the upcoming RNC strategy session.
Trump’s speech notably shifted from election fraud claims to forward-looking rhetoric about congressional redistricting and state-level organizing. “We’re going to build a ground game like nobody’s ever seen before,” he promised. “Every precinct, every county, every state.”
I’ve covered Trump events since 2016, and this one struck me as more disciplined. His teleprompter dependency was evident, suggesting more handler involvement than his typically freewheeling appearances.
Democratic response came swiftly. White House Press Secretary Jasmine Williams called Trump’s economic claims “factually challenged” during Monday’s briefing. “The former president continues to misrepresent the actual economic conditions facing American families,” Williams stated while citing the Labor Department’s recent employment report showing 186,000 jobs added last month.
Phoenix Police Department spokesperson Lieutenant Carlos Ramirez reported the event proceeded without major incidents despite concerns about potential confrontations. “We implemented lessons learned from previous political gatherings,” Ramirez explained when I contacted his office Tuesday morning.
Looking ahead, the rally offers clues about Republican strategy leading into next year’s congressional contests. Trump’s focus on state legislatures suggests a renewed emphasis on down-ballot races that shape redistricting.
Political scientist Dr. Elaine Kamarck from Brookings Institution believes Trump’s Phoenix appearance represents more than typical campaigning. “He’s positioning himself as the kingmaker before party leaders meet,” she told me. “This is about internal power dynamics, not voter outreach.”
For Arizonans like retired teacher Robert Mendez, who I met waiting in the security line, the issues transcend partisan politics. “I’m here because I’m worried about my grandkids’ future,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “Someone needs to talk about what happens after all the shouting stops.”
As Republicans prepare for their Palm Beach strategy session, Trump’s Phoenix messaging provides the backdrop for critical discussions about the party’s direction. Whether his vision prevails or faces internal challenge may determine Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.
After covering political rallies across seven election cycles, I recognize when a gathering transcends campaign theater. This Phoenix event felt like a strategic opening move in a longer game about who controls the Republican Party’s future.
