Trump Calls Harris a ‘Marxist’ at Arizona Campaign Event

On August 22, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump visited the area near Arizona’s border with Mexico, where he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her approach to illegal immigration. He labeled her a Marxist, asserting that her policies have negatively impacted the nation’s handling of this issue.

The event, held at Montezuma Pass in Cochise County, was titled “Make America Safe Again.” During his hour-long speech, which was closed to the public but accessible to media and officials, Trump emphasized his concerns surrounding border security.

“We have a Marxist that is running,” Trump commented, referring to Harris. “This country is not ready for a Marxist.” His remarks were part of an effort to rally support against the current administration’s immigration policies.

Trump spoke while standing near an unfinished portion of the border wall, which he described as the “Rolls-Royce” of walls. He expressed frustration over the delays in construction, noting, “It could have been put up in a matter of weeks.” The incomplete wall loomed large in the background as he pointed out various sections that remained unconstructed.

When discussing immigration, Trump recalled his presidency, stating, “When you came here illegally you were caught and deported.” He claimed the current situation has worsened under President Joe Biden and Harris, whom he accused of being complacent towards illegal border crossings.

“Kamala is always going to have open borders,” Trump asserted, alleging that she would permit over 100 million undocumented immigrants into the U.S. He promised his supporters that if they regained power in November, they would rectify the issues at the border once and for all: “We will get it back very strong.”

Joining Trump were individuals affected by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Among them was the family of Rachel Morin, whose tragic murder in 2023 was linked to an immigrant from El Salvador.

Security for Trump’s visit included a substantial presence of Secret Service agents and local law enforcement officials, who ensured safety during his travel from Sierra Vista Municipal Airport to the border.

On the same day, authorities in Cochise County apprehended a 66-year-old man named Ronald Syvrud for making threats against Trump on social media. As reported by a public information officer, Syvrud had made violent threats over the preceding weeks, though the specific platforms used for these threats were not disclosed.

Following his Arizona appearance, Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign event in Glendale, Arizona, where Vice President Harris had previously drawn a crowd of 15,000 earlier in the month. Trump has been actively campaigning across several battleground states, having visited Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina recently, with plans to travel to Nevada soon.

His running mate, JD Vance, who also criticized Harris during a recent border appearance, will join him in Glendale. Vance took aim at Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, during a campaign event in Georgia, mentioning that Walz’s speech began late at night, suggesting that it lacked engagement.

“I appreciate the Democrats not being able to keep anything on time,” Vance said, adding that by the time Walz spoke, most in Georgia had likely turned in for the night. Vance further criticized Harris over her handling of cost-of-living issues and overall national security, insisting that her policies have only exacerbated the hardships faced by Americans.

“Her argument is that things will improve when she gains power,” he proclaimed. “She’s been in power for three and a half years and only made things worse.”

Vance also mentioned a conversation with Governor Brian Kemp, asserting Kemp’s full support for the Trump-Vance ticket. He acknowledged past disagreements between Trump and Kemp regarding election results but emphasized their shared belief in the need to counteract Harris’s policies.