Trump blasts ‘crooked media,’ slams Arizona senators at raucous rally

Police deployed gas to disperse crowds in Phoenix, Arizona, after protesters outside a rally by US President Donald Trump threw rocks and bottles, police said.

Trump’s rally is set to take place at 7 p.m.in the downtown area.

“Tanking Republicans’ chances in seats we need to hold and not focusing on Missouri and in doesn’t get the White House any more votes”, said Republican political operative Michael Steel, referring to two states where Democratic senators are up for reelection in Republican-leaning states.

Trump’s arrival at the Phoenix Convention Center was be greeted by mass protests from progressive and anti-bigotry groups. “And I said it very clearly, but they refused to put it on”, he said.

Dismissing critics who said Trump is exacerbating a racial and culture divide in America, Trump claimed his movement is “based on love”.

A 32-year-old woman was killed when a young man associated with racist ideology plowed his auto into the counter-protesters.

In anticipation of Trump’s first trip to Arizona after winning the White House and his first to the West amid criticism for his remarks, the political world was abuzz with not just whether Trump would set off controversy in Phoenix – but which specific hot-button clash he could wade into. “I was a better student than they were”, Trump said, referring to what he called the “elite” media, whom he referred to as “dishonest” and “bad people”.

Rather than the dignity and decorum a president ought to project, and devoid of any shred of remorse or repentance for his heartless, offensive comments after the violent white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, Trump chose instead to dive headfirst into a cesspool of rage and petulant lies.

CHANG: The mayor of Phoenix, Greg Stanton, actually requested that President Trump not come to Phoenix because he was fearful that his appearance would inflame emotions.

“His speech was without thought”, Lemon said.

Monday night’s speech on Afghanistan gives the president an opportunity to change the subject.

Political commentators immediately ripped into Trump.

“If the president himself is supporting a challenger to Jeff, it’s a serious problem”, said Coughlin, who has been polling voters about the intraparty turmoil that has unsettled the race.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s spokesman says he will not attend a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center with President Donald Trump. It was one of his most popular promises during the campaign and since during such rallies, but even he has acknowledged it will never happen.

This, of course, was at a campaign-funded event, so it’s not surprising that Trump used this tactic to rally his base. Flake recently released a book that is critical of his own party and the president, saying they’ve lost touch with conservative values and “have given into the politics of anger”.

Immigration activists and Democratic leaders had criticized a possible pardon. Trump said of Arpaio. Even though Flake has a home in Mesa and used to represent the area in the U.S. House, numerous Republican activists present expressed disgust for Flake, who is serving his first term in the Senate and is up for re-election in 2018. McCain in 2016 but lost. Martha McSally and David Schweikert – haven’t publicly revealed whether they support an Arpaio pardon.

Trump has also revived the immigration debate and infuriated Latinos here with his talk of pardoning former Sheriff Joe Arpaio over his recent conviction for breaking the law with his signature immigration patrols.

It was a dramatic departure from the vitriol Trump unleashed at a campaign rally Tuesday night in Arizona – with the President sticking to his teleprompters Wednesday after ignoring them for at least part of the time Tuesday. “You’re wasting your time”, Trump said.

Garcia says he is encouraging all protesters to be peaceful and said he expects a large police presence, including the Secret Service.