President-elect Donald Trump delivered his first rally-style speech since winning the 2024 election at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, December 22, 2024[1][2][3]. The event, billed as the “largest celebration of our constitutional rights and freedoms,” drew thousands of supporters[3][5].
During his 75-minute speech, Trump focused on several key points:
- Election victory: Trump spent nearly 10 minutes discussing his decisive win over Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly highlighting his 5.5% margin of victory in Arizona[1][3].
- Future plans: The president-elect expressed confidence in delivering on his administration’s promises and touted his Cabinet selections[3].
- Immigration: Trump reiterated his plans for mass deportations, with supporters like Ted Cruz stating, “If you are an illegal alien, if you’re a murderer, if you’re a rapist…pack your bags because you’re out!”[8]
- Foreign policy: Trump threatened to “take back” the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging American vessels “exorbitant prices” to use the waterway[6][8].
- Economic policy: Trump announced Stephen Miran as his nominee for Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers[8].
While attempting to project a message of national unity, Trump maintained his characteristic bombastic style, making controversial statements and criticizing opponents[5]. The speech also touched on issues such as tariffs, the European Union, and Canada[7].
The event featured other prominent conservative speakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, actor Rob Schneider, and former Congressman Matt Gaetz[8]. It marked Trump’s return to the rally stage and provided insight into his priorities for his upcoming term as president.
Citations:
[1] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-set-deliver-first-rally-styled-speech-since-decisive-election-win-biggest-conservative-movement
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-set-deliver-first-rally-141229956.html
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-takes-victory-lap-young-conservatives/story?id=117032373
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tYYkRgKKc4
[5] https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/here-are-takeaways-from-trump-s-first-rally-speech-as-president-elect-124122300051_1.html
[6] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-threatens-to-take-back-panama-canal-in-his-first-rally-speech-since-the-election
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NvT2GLHoEc
[8] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-news-panama-speech-today-b2668673.html
[9] https://apnews.com/article/trump-turning-point-speech-panama-canal-933065fd25f1847b0dc3210f8b2195f5
[10] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/22/trump-rally-panama-canal/
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPqCNXf0H1w
During a speech at Turning Point’s America Fest convention in Phoenix, Arizona on December 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump made several statements regarding a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin:
- Trump claimed that Putin expressed a desire to meet with him “as soon as possible”[1][2].
- He stated, “President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible. So we have to wait for this. But we need to end that horrible, horrible war”[2].
- Trump emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine, describing it as “terrible” and “ridiculous”[1][3].
- He reiterated his belief that the war would not have happened if he had been president in 2022[2].
Citations:
[1] https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/trump-putin-wants-to-meet-we-have-to-wait-1734893896.html
[2] https://kyivindependent.com/trump-claims-putin-wants-to-meet-with-him-as-soon-as-possible/
[3] https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/22/trump-says-putin-wants-a-meeting-as-soon-as-possible-about-ukraine-war.html
[4] https://www.semafor.com/article/12/19/2024/vladimir-putin-says-he-is-ready-to-meet-with-donald-trump-whenever
[5] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-22/trump-leaves-door-open-to-putin-s-offer-tor-talks-on-ukraine-war
[6] https://www.rferl.org/a/kremlin-plans-talks-trump/33249642.html
Sources: video PBS NewsHourode , Midtown Tribune