Backers of President Trump jammed an Arizona megachurch Friday as he was set to headline a Turning Point USA rally to bolster turnout amongst Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Feverish supporters at the “Build the Red Wall” event at Dream City Church in Phoenix shot down recent criticisms of the president — including over the Iran war, record high oil prices and a controversial AI-generated image Trump posted Wednesday appearing to depict himself as Jesus Christ.
Cheryl Rosado, 44, called Trump’s Jesus meme “quite distasteful” but brushed it off as possible “good fun” that missed the mark — adding he’s been a “fabulous” president overall.
“That’s quite distasteful, but the only thing I can say is, I still pray for the president,” the office administrator said. “[He’s] the best president I’ve seen in my lifetime.”
Rosado approved of Trump’s actions in Iran and placed the blame for surging oil prices on local laws.
The widely panned meme — which depicts Trump healing a sick person while bathed in divine light and cloaked in a red robe — sparked backlash from even the president’s supporters this week, following his disagreements with Pope Leo over the war in Iran.
The pope said God doesn’t bless those who drop bombs, and called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization if the country’s repressive regime doesn’t strike a peace deal “truly unacceptable.”
Rally-goer Liz Harris, 55, however, said she believes Trump has a grand plan for Iran and oil prices.
“I’m a believer that he is playing 3D chess. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Harris, a real estate broker, said. “[The Iran blockade] is a temporary measure. Nobody likes war. But I’m excited that there’s a strategy. I think all pricing is going to stabilize.”
A committeewoman for the Republican National Committee, Harris donned a red, white and blue sequin jacket to the event.
Other were eager to hear Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, at the event.
Madison Lane, a 23-year-old finance student from Pine Top, said Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10, 2025, has generated new support amongst for the MAGA base.
“It’s definitely brought more awareness. I’ve definitely seen more attention to the movement,” said Lane, who heads her local Young Republican chapter.
Ronda Keith, 71, said she was a huge fan of Kirk before he was killed.
“I was drawn to his ability to talk to people, to listen to people to not judge,” the retiree said, adding that the rally is her first MAGA event.
The movement has a new heightened energy following the conversative activist’s heinous killing, according to Keith.
“It’s gotten a lot bigger,” she said.
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