Trump Warns of Iranian Threat to West Coast During Arizona Campaign Rally
President Donald Trump warned during a campaign stop in Bullhead City, Arizona, that a nuclear-armed Iran could target the United States West Coast and Europe, characterizing the nation’s leaders as “gente loca” or crazy people. Speaking at a political event on Wednesday, October 14, Trump justified his intervention in the Islamic nation by arguing that he had to ensure they did not have a nuclear weapon.
Primero derrotarán a Oriente Medio y luego empezarán a atacarnos en la costa oeste. Atacarán a Europa porque están locos. Son gente loca,
Trump stated during the roughly two-hour address in the battleground state. The president added that Iran has long been considered the primary state sponsor of terrorism and asserted that if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it within 24 hours.
The remarks follow a similar speech delivered the previous week in Nebraska, where Trump drew sharp criticism for claiming that Iran could destroy Los Angeles and San Diego.
Disputed Election Claims and Attacks on State Leadership
The Arizona rally, timed ahead of the upcoming midterm elections scheduled for November 3, also featured pointed criticisms directed at local and federal politicians. Trump targeted Arizona Kattie Hobbs, labeling her “tonta” (foolish), while offering praise for billionaire Elon Musk, whom he described as a “supergenio”.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump again calls rising fuel costs “a very small price to pay” for the Iran war because they can nuke the entire West coast:"If Iran had a nuclear weapon, within 24 hours they would use it … they'll start hitting us on the west coast … so this is a very small price… https://t.co/RMd0mWHJvy pic.twitter.com/bXaTBg6w9x
During the address, Trump revisited the 2022 gubernatorial election in Arizona, repeating claims without evidence that the Democratic candidate lost to Republican Kari Lake due to temporary technical failures involving voting machines in Maricopa County. Teníamos a una candidata maravillosa, y todas esas máquinas estaban averiadas el día de las elecciones (…) ¡Qué elecciones tan amañadas!
Trump told the crowd, referencing the general election cycle in which he achieved reelection against Joe Biden.
The speech also touched upon Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota. Trump referenced a federal raid conducted at Omar’s residence the previous Monday, criticizing her background and arrival in the United States by noting that Somalia experiences widespread crime and conflict. He stated regarding Somalia, lo único que tienen es crimen y angustia (…) Van por ahí disparándose unos a otros. Ella vino a este país y dijo: ‘Tengo derechos constitucionales. Tengo derecho constitucional a estar en este país.’
Qatar-Gifted Boeing 747 and Memorializing Charlie Kirk
Opening his two-hour address, Trump shifted focus to the presidential aircraft, boasting about a Boeing 747 gifted to him by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. According to the president’s remarks, he asked the emir if he could borrow or use the aircraft to serve temporarily as Air Force One while waiting for the official presidential plane. Trump explained, Le dije a Tamim que, si fuera posible, en nombre de Estados Unidos, de la Fuerza Aérea, me encantaría poder tomar prestado o usar tu 747 como Air Force One durante un tiempo mientras esperamos el nuestro,
adding that his friend gifted it to him.
The rally date coincided with the birthday of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and resident of Arizona who became a prominent youth figure within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Kirk was killed in September of the previous year after being shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
As the November 3 midterms approach, Trump continues his tour of western battleground states to rally support for Republican candidates, operating against the backdrop of his loss of popularity in the country.
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